Forhad Hossain Fahad, a blogger, human rights activist, and journalist, has been sentenced to six years in prison under the Digital Security Act (DSA).
On Monday, Judge Nure Alam of the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal delivered the verdict in Fahad’s absence. He was convicted under Sections 25, 28, and 31 of the DSA 2018, receiving two years of rigorous imprisonment for each charge, totaling six years, along with a fine of 30,000 BDT.
The case originated from Facebook posts and comments linked to a profile named “Forhad H Fahad” on April 4, 2019. At the time, Fahad was a second-year student at Jagannath University. His posts triggered protests led by the Islami Shashontontro Chhatra Andolon, a religious student group, demanding his punishment.
Following days of demonstrations by Tabligh Jamaat and Islami Shashontontro Chhatra Andolon, Nur-e-Alam, a leader of the university’s Chhatra League, filed a case against Forhad under the DSA at Kotwali Police Station.
Forhad was arrested on April 11, 2019, and placed on a two-day remand before being sent to jail. He remained in prison for four months before being granted temporary bail. After his release, he was reportedly attacked by religious extremists, forcing him into hiding.
Currently, Fahad manages an online news portal, Anweshan News, and runs a blog called Chintar Mukti (Freedom of Thoughts).
During his time at Jagannath University, he was known for his writings against religious extremism and his advocacy for human rights. His activism led to legal actions and physical attacks against him.