Court Withdraws Arrest Warrant Against Journalist Shafik Rehman

A Dhaka court on Monday revoked the arrest warrant issued against senior journalist Shafik Rehman, who was accused in a case for allegedly plotting to kidnap and kill Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier that morning, Rehman surrendered before the court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mahbubul Haque, seeking bail. Following the hearing, the magistrate withdrew the arrest warrant.

Shafik Rehman appeared in court at around 10:30 AM to comply with the surrender order.

On Sunday, the Home Ministry suspended the one-year sentence of both Rehman and businessman Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan on the condition that they surrender and file an appeal. The ministry's Security Service Division issued the notification on September 22, following legal advice from the law ministry after both Rehman and Bhuiyan appealed against their convictions.

"We will file an appeal soon," said Rehman's lawyer, Jaynul Abedin Mezbah, after the court withdrew the warrant.

Speaking to reporters after the court order, Shafik Rehman stated, "The case was filed to harass us. The government is trying to silence freedom of speech, and this case is part of that effort. A false case was filed against me to suppress journalism and the people's voice."

Shafik Rehman was sentenced in absentia to seven years of rigorous imprisonment on August 17 last year in connection with the case, and an arrest warrant was issued against him.

Several other individuals, including Mohammad Ullah Mamun, vice-president of Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha, his son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar, and US-based businessman Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, were also sentenced to seven years in absentia.

The case was initially filed on August 3, 2015, by the Detective Branch (DB) of police at Paltan Police Station.

On Sunday (September 29), former acting editor of the daily Amar Desh, Mahmudur Rahman, was sent to jail after surrendering before the same court. His bail plea was rejected by the magistrate, and he was taken into custody.