STATEMENT: BANGLADESH: THE COALITION FOR WOMEN IN JOURNALISM CALLS ON BANGLADESHI AUTHORITIES TO DROP CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST JOURNALIST ROZINA ISLAM
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On May 17, 2021, Rozina Islam, an award-winner Bangladeshi investigative journalist and a senior correspondent at Prothom Alo, was arrested after spending almost five hours in confinement at the Ministry of Health in Dhaka. Following her arrest, the journalist is facing charges of theft and espionage under the Official Secrets Act of 1923, a notorious law dating back to 1923, which prohibits access to confidential information. Her passport and mobile phone were confiscated during her arrest. Rozina lost her official accreditation to enter Bangladeshi ministries, resulting in her inability to exercise her journalistic profession after 17 years of work. If the journalist is convicted, she may face up to 14 years in prison.
PEN INTERNATIONAL COVERED IT HERE.
