Rozina Islam, an established journalist for Prothom Alo newspaper, is still under investigation related to the Official Secret Act, a colonial-era law that dates back to 1923. CFWIJ has learned that Rozina cannot pursue investigative pieces due to persistent surveillance since her arrest on May 17. She was released on May 23 after an uproar from press freedom organizations. Despite international outcry, there is no progress in the proceedings of the case against her. The authorities have not returned her accreditation card, mobile phone, or passport. Without her proper credentials, she can no longer enter the secretariat where she used to work.
Rozina was detained for almost 5 hours in confinement by officials at the Health Ministry Secretariat. Subsequently, the police were called, and Rozina was forcefully taken into custody. She was held under the Official Secret Act for taking pictures of sensitive documents. If the journalist is convicted under the filed charges, she could face imprisonment for up to 14 years. The next trial will be held on September 15.
