A Dhaka court has ordered a four-day remand for Shakil Ahmed, former head of news at Ekattor Television, and principal correspondent Farzana Rupa. The remand is part of a murder investigation.
On August 22, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ahmed Humayun Kabir issued the order after investigation officer Mohaiminur Rahman presented the journalists in court. Rahman had requested a 10-day remand, but the court granted only four days.
The couple was arrested at Dhaka airport on August 21 while attempting to board a Turkish Airlines flight to France. Immigration authorities detained them and handed them over to the Detective Branch (DB) of police.
The murder case, filed with Uttara East Police Station, accuses 39 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, of involvement in the death of Anowar Hossain Aynal’s brother, Fazlul Karim. The incident occurred during an anti-government protest on August 5.
Shakil and Rupa’s names were not listed in the initial police report, and they were arrested as unnamed suspects.
The defense lawyer has requested bail and the cancellation of the remand order.
Ekattor Television dismissed the journalist couple on August 8.
