On 24 April 2026, 20-year-old college student Nishad Islam was arrested in Debiganj, Panchagarh, over a Facebook post allegedly containing derogatory remarks about State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad. Police detained him during a late-night drive in Hajipara, and on 25 April 2026, a case was filed against him under the Cyber Security Act before he was sent to jail by a Panchagarh court.
This follows another case on 23 April 2026, when another Debiganj resident Shakil Ahmed, was arrested under the Cyber Security Act over alleged Facebook content involving the prime minister’s daughter.
These incidents form part of a wider pattern of arrests and detention in Bangladesh over online criticism, satire, or social media posts perceived as insulting to government leaders or public officials. Prothom Alo reported on 22 April 2026 that, within the previous month, at least four individuals had been arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Cyber Security Act, while another person was taken into police custody over social media posts. The report also noted a 21 April 2026 protest at Dhaka University demanding the release of content creator A.M. Hasan Nasim, who was arrested after allegedly sharing a cartoon on Facebook.
The incidents affect freedom of expression, digital civic participation, and citizens’ ability to criticise public officials without fear. Rights actors have raised concerns about the legality and proportionality of such arrests, including late-night detentions seen as deeply concerning and a violation of law and fundamental rights. On 23 April 2026, Human Rights Watch also criticised the arrests and urged Bangladesh to amend or replace rights-abusing provisions in cyber and security laws.