Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged the highest judicial authorities in Bangladesh to dismiss immediately the fake charges against Cox's Bazar journalist Faridul Mostofa, who was tortured by police and held for nearly a year.
The Paris-based organization that deals with the rights of journalists across the world also said that the horrible experience endured by the journalist necessitates significant reforms in the police and judicial system to ensure that newsmen can do their job without any fear.
“We urge Bangladesh’s highest judicial authorities to immediately dismiss the spurious charges against Faridul Mostafa, to assume responsibility for his medical costs, and to issue orders for him to be given effective protection,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk, on Monday.
“His horrific ordeal calls for deep reforms in the police and judicial system so that journalists can freely investigate corruption cases without fearing reprisals," he said.
"The credibility of the rule of law in Bangladesh is at stake,” he added.
According to RSF, Mostafa was brutally tortured and arbitrarily jailed for nearly a year for investigating the widespread corruption in and around the city of Cox’s Bazar.
“He was brutally tortured in police custody before being brought before a court in Cox’s Bazar three days later,” his wife Hasina Akter, told RSF.
She said his hands and legs were broken and the nails of his fingers and toes were pulled out with pliers by former officer-in-charge Pradeep Kumar Das himself. His eyesight has been badly affected by the red chili powder that was rubbed in his eyes, and he was forced to drink sewage water, which caused severe diarrhoea.
His wife told RSF that the family did not dare to contest the charges in court or report this scandal to the press for fear of reprisals by the all-powerful police officer. It was only Pradeep’s arrest early last month for the murder of a retired army officer that finally loosened tongues and revived Mostafa’s hopes.
On 17 August, the Bangladesh high court ordered his release on bail. He was released 10 days later but he remains charged on a total of six counts, including illegal possession of drugs, alcohol and firearms, which could potentially result in his being imprisoned again.
On his release from prison, Mostafa told waiting journalists and an RSF representative that he was still very concerned for his safety.
“My security could still be in danger because the police officer’s colleagues and underworld gangs feel threatened,” he said.
