Event Summary
Veteran journalist Anis Alamgir was arrested in 14 December 2025 and then charged under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act, following a complaint filed against him at the Uttara West Police Station. He was initially picked up by members of the Detective Branch and later placed on police remand following a court order.
Media reports indicate that the case alleges Alamgir made statements deemed as conspiring to destabilise the country and revive banned organisations. However, these accusations relate to his public commentary rather than any act of violence.
The arrest has drawn strong criticism from journalists’ associations and rights organisations. PEN Bangladesh, the Editors’ Council, and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) have condemned the use of anti-terror legislation against a journalist, warning that it undermines due process and press freedom.
This arrest occurs within a broader and well-documented pattern. ASK monitoring recorded 398 incidents of attack or harassment against journalists between August 2024 and March 2025, with 218 journalists affected in just seven months of 2025. Transparency International Bangladesh reported that 496 journalists faced harassment between August 2024 and July 2025, including 266 named as defendants in murder cases related to the July uprising, despite the absence of convictions.
Previous cases under serious criminal laws—such as journalist Monjurul Alam Panna, who was detained under the Anti-Terrorism Act—demonstrate continuity in the use of harsh legal instruments against members of the press, even when allegations relate to professional activity. Collectively, these developments risk producing a chilling effect on freedom of expression, discouraging critical reporting and reinforcing a pattern of legal intimidation.