Digital Security Act: Singer held for ‘hurting’ religious sentiment
A Sufi folk singer has been arrested in Tangail under the Digital Security Act for allegedly hurting religious sentiment.
Shariat Sarker, 40, was detained in Mirzapur on Saturday after a cleric filed a case over comments made at a show in December, local police chief Saidur Rahman told AFP.
Clips of the show was uploaded to YouTube and a group of people, including clerics, staged a rally demanding the singer’s arrest.
Shariat could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty at trial.
Journalists and right activists say the Digital Security Act, which was passed in 2018, is a serious threat to freedom of expression in the country.
Under the act, anyone can face a life jail term for “propaganda” against the nation and up to 10 years for digital content that “hurts religious sentiments” or “creates unrest”.
Odhikar, a rights group, reported at least 29 arrests last year under the law.