Many former ministers, members of parliament, politicians, former bureaucrats and journalists who were arrested during the interim government’s tenure have been detained for days on end without trial. Charge sheets or formal indictments have not yet been filed against them. They are also not being granted bail. When asked about the issue, Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi told Deutsche Welle, “No one is imprisoned without trial.” When asked why those against whom charge sheets have not yet been filed are still in jail, he said, “If there are allegations that they might influence the case after getting bail, we oppose their

bail. But for those who are not likely to flee or influence the case if released on bail, we do not oppose bail. They are also being released on bail.” Senior lawyer Manzil Morshed told Deutsche Welle, “Since the election on 12 February, the number of bail orders has increased. However, since many individuals face multiple cases, it may take time for them to be released from prison. If this trend of granting bail continues, many of those who are currently imprisoned without trial will be freed.” Assistant Inspector General of Dhaka Central Jail, Md. Jannat Ul Farhad, told Deutsche Welle, “Before

the 12 February election, there were 85,000 prisoners across the country. Today (Wednesday), the number of prisoners in jails nationwide is 80,000. That means five thousand people have been released from prison since the election.” ⸻ Bail is not being granted Former bureaucrat Shah Kamal has been detained in prison for 568 days, yet no charge sheet has been filed against him. Journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed have been held 565 days without a charge sheet. Former minister Tipu Munshi has been detained for 557 days, former minister Asaduzzaman Noor for 540 days, Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta and Ekattor TV chief executive

Mozammel Haque Babu for 538 days, and former mayor Atiqul Haque for 510 days, yet no charge sheet has been filed against them either. Former Chief Justice A. B. M. Khairul Haque has been in prison for 228 days, and no charge sheet has been filed against him either. However, on Wednesday he was granted bail in all the cases against him. His lawyer Motahar Hossain Saju said there are now no legal barriers to his release. After the bail order, he told Deutsche Welle, “Now it will become clear what the government actually wants. If government lawyers do not go to

the Chamber Court, then we will understand that the former Chief Justice may be released. However, we are hearing that the Attorney General’s office is preparing to go to the Chamber Court. If the Chamber Court upholds the bail, then the former Chief Justice may be released.” Journalist Anis Alamgir was also granted bail on Wednesday. The court approved his bail in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). On Wednesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Sabbir Fayez granted his bail after a hearing. With this, Anis Alamgir has received bail in both cases against him. His lawyer Taslima Jahan

Popy said there are now no legal obstacles to his release. ⸻ When will other imprisoned journalists be released? The Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) has called on the BNP government to release journalists who were arrested during the interim government’s tenure. In a statement, the organisation said, “We demand the immediate release of journalists who have been imprisoned for more than a year on various false charges, including murder, in violation of their fundamental rights.” Earlier, the Editors’ Council and 63 prominent human rights defenders in Bangladesh expressed deep concern about the arbitrary detention of journalists and the judicial process. Manzil Morshed, president of Human Rights

and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) and a senior Supreme Court advocate, said, “The allegations brought by the interim government against journalists are false. A legal framework for quickly securing release from these cases has not yet been created in the country. The new government is expected to ensure the speedy release of imprisoned journalists from these cases. That would send a new message worldwide.” Currently Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu, Shakil Ahmed, Farzana Rupa, Shahriar Kabir, and MyTV chairman Nasir Uddin Sathi remain in prison. Deutsche Welle spoke with the families of at least two of them. They said bail petitions were filed last December, but those applications have not yet been brought up for hearing. However, they said they are hopeful after journalist Anis Alamgir was granted bail. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Saeed Ahmed Raja told Deutsche Welle, “After the election on 12 February, detainees have effectively been divided into two groups. One group consists of political activists, and the other consists of professionals. In the case of political activists, what we are seeing is that unless someone is a very well-known leader, or if they are local-level leaders, they are being granted bail and no new show-arrest orders are being issued. They are being released on bail. But in the case of professionals—journalists, judges, teachers, secretaries—there was an expectation that these cases would be heard quickly and that those imprisoned without trial would receive bail. But that is not happening. Previously, courts would give special consideration if someone was elderly or ill. Now that is not happening either. Former Chief Justice A. B. M. Khairul Haque is 83 years old, and journalist Shahriar Kabir is seriously ill. Even that is not being taken into consideration.” ⸻ What are the allegations against the imprisoned former bureaucrats? Among the top former officials who have been in prison since 5 August 2024 are: Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, adviser to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; former Home Secretary and Election Commission Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam; former Youth and Sports Secretary Mejba Uddin; former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and MP Md. Abul Kalam Azad; former Home Secretary Md. Aminul Islam Khan; NBR Chairman Najibur Rahman; former Home Secretary Mostafa Kamal Uddin; former Secretary and Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed; former Social Welfare Secretary Ismail Hossain; and former Senior Secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Shah Kamal. Among them, Mejba Uddin, Abul Kalam Azad, Aminul Islam Khan, Najibur Rahman, and Mostafa Kamal Uddin were arrested under the Explosive Substances Act of 1908. Jahangir Alam, Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, and Helal Uddin Ahmed were detained in murder cases. Helal Uddin Ahmed also faces sedition charges. Ismail Hossain was detained under the ACC law, and Shah Kamal is detained in money-laundering and corruption cases. When asked what impact the detention of such high-ranking government officials in murder and explosives cases might have on the new government’s administration, recently released former secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan told Deutsche Welle: “I would say that not only government officials, but no one should be detained in such false cases. The case filed against me was one hundred percent false. If there are specific allegations of corruption, embezzlement, violation of government service rules, or abuse of power, then cases may certainly be filed. If cases are filed impartially, there is nothing to say. Legal action can be taken according to the law. But cases of this nature damage the merit of the case itself. The government has already said that including secretaries in these cases has actually weakened them. Therefore, it is not desirable.” ⸻ How many political leaders and activists are imprisoned? After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, 706 cases were filed in the capital. Law enforcement agencies arrested more than 5,000 political leaders and activists on charges including murder, corruption and crimes against humanity. Among them are former ministers and MPs. According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) data, 5,079 people have been arrested and sent to jail within a year in cases related to violence, deaths and other crimes during the student-public movement. A total of 706 cases have been filed in 50 police stations in the capital. Across the country, 1,602 cases have been filed. Among those arrested are 23 former ministers, 11 state or deputy ministers, 66 MPs, 8 MPs from reserved women’s seats, and 19 members of law enforcement agencies. In addition, 45 people from various professions, including politicians and journalists, have also been arrested. Among them, seven MPs and ministers have received bail. Meanwhile, around 27 cases have been filed at the International Crimes Tribunal on charges of crimes against humanity. In those cases, 206 people, including Sheikh Hasina, have been named as accused. Of them, 73 have reportedly been arrested.