Media Helping Media

Bangladeshi photojournalist Shahidul Alam has been arrested for the second time in 24 hours, this time by border guards in Bangladesh. The second arrest came hours after Alam was detained and interrogated for six hours by Indian border security guards (BSF). Alam is due to appear in court today and is expected to apply for bail. His camera and phone have been confiscated. Supporters are calling on the international media freedom organisations to campaign for his speedy release.

The latest arrest came hours after an incident on Tuesday evening 16 June when Alam was working on his Brahamaputra river project, which has been running for several years and covers China, Mongolia, Tibet and India.

While taking photographs on the Bangladeshi side, Indian border guards asked Alam to come over to their side where they detained him at Sahapara 21 IPP, across the Memokar Char border at Rowmari, Kurigram. After the six hour interrogation Alam was released.

At 03:00 this morning Alam called colleagues to say he had been arrested again but this time by Bangladeshi border guards (BD).

He was taken to a local police station and a case was filed by SI Amir Ali under the Control Entry Act/4,1978 Bangladesh (case number 6, dtd 17.06.2009). It is understand the charge relates to illegal entry.

Alam then spent the night in custody. He is due to appear at court today, Wednesday 17 June, and is expected to apply for bail.

The court in Kurigram is a three hours by boat and another two hours by road from the police station.  His colleagues from Drik picture network, Sumeru Mukhopadhyay and Abul Kashem are travelling with Alam.

According to friends in Dhaka, Alam has legal representation for the court hearing.

Advocate Siddiqur Rahman, a lawyer of the Kurigram Bar Association, is representing Alam and the Vice President of the Bar Association Advocate, Abdul Khaleque, will also be present at the hearing.

Members of Manobadhikar Shangbadik Shomiti (Journalists for Human Rights) will be at the court premises and the Kurigram Press Club members has been informed and have said they will be present at the hearing, with food.

The Uttar Bongo Shangbadik Parishad (North Bengal Journalists Council) has also been informed and their members will also show up at the court, to rally support for Alam.

His friends and family thank all who campaigned through email, blogs and Twitter on his behalf. Updates are also being posted on the Unheard Voices site.