Prominent Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam was arrested on 5 August from his residence in Dhanmondi at the height of student protests calling for better road safety. It followed the death of two students in the capital.
The visiting professor at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology was arrested after photographing the protests and also for making comments in an interview with Al Jazeera and on his Facebook page criticising the government’s response to the demonstrations.
He was charged with spreading propaganda under the country’s Information and Communication Technology Act. However, after 107 days in jail, the 63-year-old was finally released last night, five days after he had secured permanent bail from the High Court.
Shahidul Alam (C) walks out of jail in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 20 November 2018. Source: AAP
According to the local media reports, the High Court in Bangladesh granted Shahidul Alam permanent bail on 15 November, considering his age and the time he spent in detention.
Reacting to the news of his release, Amnesty International said Bangladesh authorities must immediately drop charges against him.
"Shahidul Alam is a bold representation of Bangladesh through his lens. He should not have been detained at the first place," said Amnesty's regional campaigner for South Asia, Saad Hammadi.
After being freed from jail he told the AFP news agency he hoped his release would "signal freedom for many others" also detained during the protests.
Protest against the detention of renowned Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam calling for his immediate and unconditional release in Dhaka, 11 August, 2018. Source: AAP Image/EPA/MONIRUL ALAM
Dr Alam's arrest prompted a chorus of international criticism, including a letter signed by ten Nobel Laureates calling for his release.
Despite being released from prison, the renowned photographer still faces a maximum 14 years in prison if convicted.
