Decision on Rozina’s bail Sunday

A Dhaka court has set Sunday to give decision on the bail plea filed by Prothom Alo Senior Correspondent Rozina Islam in a case filed by the Health Ministry under the Official Secrets Act. After hearing and evaluating all relevant documents, Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Baki Billah passed the order virtually on Thursday afternoon.

The court also allowed the prosecution to present other important information before it on Sunday.

Islam was not produced before the court during the hearing which started at 12:50pm and ended at 2pm.

The 42-year-old, known for her investigative journalism, was detained at the Secretariat for over five hours before being handed over to police on May 17.

She allegedly clicked photos of documents related to government negotiations with pharma firms to buy Covid-19 vaccines, according to case documents.

An FIR (first investigation report) was filed against Islam under the Official Secrets Act and sections 379 and 411 of The Penal Code on a complaint filed by the Health Services Division at Shahbagh police station.

Later, a Dhaka court, on May 18, sent Islam to jail after rejecting the police's demand for her five-day remand. Islam was taken to Kashimpur Central Women's Jail on that day.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formed a three-member probe committee to look into the allegations of the journalist's detention at the Secretariat and also her subsequent handover to the police.

Meanwhile, the case filed against Islam was transferred to the Detective Branch of police on Wednesday.

Protest over Islam’s arrest

Journalists formed a human chain on Wednesday and Thursday in front of the Jatiya Press Club, Saarc Foara at Karwan Bazar demanding the “unconditional” release of Rozina Islam and punishment of those involved in “harassing” her at the Secretariat. They also demanded withdrawal of the false cases filed against the woman scribe.

Besides, international bodies including United Nations expressed concern with the happening. UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric at a regular briefing on May 18 expressed concern over the arrest of Rozina Islam. Amnesty International in another statement on Wednesday  also issued statement over arrest of Prothom Alo Senior Correspondent Rozina Islam. On the other hand, HRW, TIB condemned such arrest of a journalist.