A Dhaka court is scheduled to hear on Thursday morning the bail plea of Prothom Alo Senior Correspondent Rozina Islam in a case filed under the Official Secrets Act.
Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Baki Billah would virtually take up the appeal of the scribe, who is currently in judicial custody.
The 42-year-old, known for her investigative journalism, was detained at the Secretariat for over five hours before being turned over to the police on May 17.
She allegedly clicked photos of documents related to government negotiations with pharmaceutical firms to buy Covid-19 vaccines, according to case documents.
An FIR was filed against Rozina 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 Rozina to jail rejecting the police’s demand for a five-day remand. Rozina was taken to Kashimpur Central Women’s Jail on that day only.
Meanwhile. 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 Rozina was transferred to the Detective Branch of police on Wednesday.
Protest over Rozina’s arrest
Journalists formed a human chain on Wednesday in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the “unconditional” release of Rozina and punishment of those involved in “harassing” her at the Secretariat.
They also demanded withdrawal of the false cases filed against the woman scribe.
