Release of Mahmudur Rahman sought

Factions of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) on a token hunger strike in front of Jatiya Press Club in the capital yesterday, demanding release of Amar Desh Acting Editor Mahmudur Rahman. photo: star

A group of journalists has protested the arrest of Amar Desh Acting Editor Mahmudur Rahman, terming it a violation of freedom of press and expression.
They demanded immediate release of the editor.
In Dhaka, factions of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) joined a token hunger strike event before Jatiya Press Club from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
Ruhul Amin Gazi, president of the faction of BFUJ, said the government is trying to establish a "Baksal like rule" by closing the daily.
In Chittagong, Chittagong Metropolitan Union of Journalists also went on a four-hour token hunger strike from 10:00am in front of its office on Noor Ahmed Road.
CMUJ President Shamshul Haque Haidari and General Secretary Md Shahnewaj, and BFUJ Vice President Iskander Ali Chowdhury and Joint Secretary General Mustafa Noim were present among others.
Mahmudur was arrested at his office in the capital on Thursday on charge of publishing reports on Skype conversation between former International Crimes Tribunal chairman Justice Nizamul Huq and an expatriate Bangladeshi legal expert Ahmed Ziauddin last year.