A Dhaka court on Thursday rejected the bail petition of journalist Anis Alamgir, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Uttara West Police Station.
Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Alamgir passed the order after a hearing on the matter. Defense lawyer Taslima Jahan Poppy represented the accused during the proceedings.
In the bail prayer, the defense argued that Alamgir is entirely innocent, law-abiding, and a permanent citizen of Bangladesh who has no involvement in the alleged incident. They further claimed he was implicated in the case as part of a conspiracy and for the purpose of harassment.
The lawyer highlighted that although Alamgir is named in the First Information Report (FIR), there are no specific allegations against him, nor is he a member or worker of any political party.
Describing him as a distinguished journalist, author, intellectual, and teacher, the defense maintained that none of the legal sections cited in the FIR apply to him and that he deserves bail.
The case was filed on 14 December by Aryan Ahmed, an organiser of the July Revolutionary Alliance, at Uttara West Police Station. Alongside Anis Alamgir, Meher Afroz Shaon has also been named as an accused in the case.
Previously, the court had granted a five-day remand for Alamgir on 15 December. Following the completion of the remand, he was sent to jail on 20 December and has remained in custody since then.
According to the case allegations, following the departure of Sheikh Hasina due to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, her followers have been hiding and using various tactics to conspire to destabilise the country and destroy state infrastructure.
It is alleged that the accused, who have been under the wing of the Awami League, have been spreading propaganda on social media and talk shows since 5 August to rehabilitate banned organisations.
The complainant stated that on the night of 14 December, he observed Facebook posts by the accused aimed at rehabilitating the Awami League.
The case alleges that these posts inspired workers of the banned organisations Chhatra League and Jubo League to engage in conspiracies and terrorist activities to destabilise the state.
