Bangladesh photographer freed after months in detention

AFP/File | Activist and photographer Shahidul Alam, seen here in August 2018, has been freed from prison in Dhaka after four previously unsuccessful bail applications

DHAKA (AFP): Award-winning Bangladeshi photographer and activist Shahidul Alam was released from prison Tuesday after more than 100 days behind bars, in a closely watched freedom of speech case. 

The 63-year-old Alam was arrested on August 5 for making “false” and “provocative” statements on Al Jazeera television and Facebook during student protests. 

He was freed from Dhaka’s main jail Tuesday after being granted bail last week, his wife Rahnuma Ahmad told AFP. 

“He is now heading home,” she said. 

He was being held under controversial internet laws which critics say have been wielded by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to stifle dissent and harass journalists. 

Alam spoke briefly to reporters after he came out of prison to describe conditions inside jail, Alam’s close associate Rezaur Rahman told AFP. 

The photographer had previously said he was badly beaten while in custody. 

Although Alam was granted bail for his release on Thursday last week, he had to wait another five days to be set free as the prosecution moved to appeal against the bail order. 

He had earlier applied unsuccessfully for bail four times. 

Alam, whose work has appeared widely in global media and who founded the renowned Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, faces a maximum 14 years in jail if convicted. 

His lawyers have argued Alam’s continued detention was “a clear violation” of his fundamental rights under Bangladesh’s constitution.