Expressing concern over the arrest of Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of rights body Odhikar, the Canadian government yesterday urged Bangladesh to release him.
“Government actions such as this arrest can have a chilling effect on the rights of all civil society organisations operating freely in the country. This is particularly significant in the lead-up to the country's next general election,” said Heather Cruden, Canadian high commissioner in Bangladesh, in a press statement.
Adilur was arrested on August 10 on charges of tarnishing the image of the government, the state and law enforcers by publishing a “false report” online about the crackdown on Hefajat-e Islam at Motijheel Shapla Chattar in May.