Dhaka, December 15, 2025:
Veteran Bangladeshi journalist Anis Alamgir, who was arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act, told a Dhaka court on Monday that if Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus wished, he could “turn the entire country into a prison.”
Alamgir made the remarks while opposing a police plea seeking a seven-day remand during a hearing at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court. He was produced before the court at around 5:30 pm under heavy police guard in connection with a case filed at Uttara West Police Station.
During the hearing, Alamgir asserted his independence as a journalist and rejected allegations that he was aligned with any political party. “Those who want to label me as a slave of a particular party have their own problems,” he told the court.
Police Inspector Md Moniruzzaman, the investigating officer of the case, sought a seven-day remand, claiming that Alamgir and others had made “provocative statements” through television talk shows, Facebook posts, and YouTube content that allegedly endangered public security and incited violence.
According to the remand application, Alamgir had commented during a television talk show about alleged political instability caused by “undisclosed leaders” of the Awami League. The case also names actress Meher Afroz Shaon and activist Imtu Ratish Imtiaz, accusing them of posting sarcastic and critical remarks on social media regarding recent government actions.
Opposing the remand, Alamgir’s lawyer Naznin Akter described him as a fearless journalist who had covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and had never compromised with any government. “He is a teacher, a writer, and a long-time critic of authoritarianism. He is not a harmful person,” she told the court.
With the court’s permission, Alamgir addressed the magistrate directly, recounting how he had once been detained by the Taliban during his war reporting. “Since then, I have lost my fear of death,” he said. “For two decades, I have spoken out during Khaleda Zia’s tenure, during the Awami League government, and now under Dr Yunus. I will continue to speak, whoever comes next.”
He stressed that questioning those in power was the duty of a journalist. “My job is not to bow down to anyone,” Alamgir said, adding that all his statements were made publicly and transparently. “If Dr Yunus wants, he can turn all of Bangladesh into a prison.”
Alamgir was taken to the Detective Branch (DB) office on Mintoo Road on Sunday evening after being picked up from a gym in the Dhanmondi area. DB Chief Md Shafiqul Islam later confirmed his arrest, stating that it was made under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The case was filed by Arian Ahmed, a central organizer of an organization called the July Revolutionary Alliance, naming Alamgir, Shaon, and others as accused.
The arrest has sparked concern among journalist bodies and civil society groups, who have described the case as an attack on freedom of expression and press freedom in Bangladesh.
