A Dhaka court on Monday placed senior journalist Anis Alamgir on a five-day remand in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, as he made strong statements in court alleging political persecution and threats to press freedom.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam passed the order around 6:16pm, following a police petition seeking a seven-day remand.
The remand application was submitted by Inspector Muniruzzaman, the investigating officer of Uttara West Police Station.
Anis Alamgir was brought to court at 5:08pm and kept in the court lock-up. He was later taken to the courtroom under tight security, wearing a bulletproof vest, helmet and handcuffs, and produced before the court at 5:34pm.
During the hearing, Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki alleged that Anis Alamgir, under the guise of journalism, was involved with conspiratorial groups and engaged in activities aimed at destabilising the country through provocative statements that allegedly incited activists of the Awami League.
Opposing the remand, defence counsel Naznin Sultana described Anis Alamgir as a respected journalist with international credentials, saying he had covered war zones, including the Iran-Iraq conflict, and was also a teacher and author.
She argued that expressing opinions on talk shows falls within the scope of press freedom and said Anis Alamgir’s statements were consistent with the spirit of the July mass uprising. She urged the court to reject the remand plea.
With the court’s permission, Anis Alamgir addressed the bench, identifying himself as a journalist and asserting that fear of death could not silence him. “I questioned power during Khaleda Zia’s time, during Sheikh Hasina’s time, and I will continue to do so,” he said. “A certain group wants to turn me into their slave, but I will not accept that.”
He further told the court that retaliatory politics had entered public life and warned that suppressing dissent would only worsen the situation. He denied the allegations brought against him, calling them false and politically motivated.
After hearing both sides, the court granted a five-day remand.
Anis Alamgir was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Sunday evening after leaving a gym in Dhanmondi area and was taken to the DB office for questioning.
Later that night, a case was filed with the Uttara West Police Station by Aryan Ahmed, central organiser of the July Revolutionary Alliance, against four individuals, including actress Meher Afroz Shaon. The other accused are fashion model Maria Kispotta and TV presenter Imtu Ratish Imtiaz.
According to the case statement, the accused allegedly conspired to destabilise the country following the July 2024 anti-discrimination student movement by spreading propaganda through social media and television talk shows to revive banned organisations and incite anti-state activities.
