A Dhaka court has fixed February 23 to pronounce its order on a sedition complaint filed against four people on charges of conspiring against Bangladesh through an Al Jazeera report, “All the Prime Minister's Men”.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ashek Imam set the date on Thursday.
On the specified date, the court will decide whether or not it will take cognizance of the sedition complaint.
The four accused in the complaint are British journalist David Bergman, Sweden-based Bangladeshi journalist Tasneem Khalil, Al Jazeera Television Director General (editing council) Dr Mostefa Souag and Hungary-based entrepreneur Zulkarnain Saer Khan alias Sami.
Moshiur Malek, founder and president of Bangabandhu Foundation, filed the complaint on Wednesday.
Moshiur Malek, a lawyer by profession, in the complaint stated that the Al Jazeera report was fictitious and flawed and had tarnished the image of the Bangladesh government and the state at home and abroad, which was tantamount to sedition.
The complainant pleaded with the court to issue arrest warrants against the accused through Interpol.
The court recorded the statement of the complainant and set Thursday for passing further orders in this connection.
‘Smear campaign’
The Al Jazeera report, which aired on February 1, levelled various allegations against Bangladesh Army chief General Aziz Ahmed and his brothers, which went viral on social media.
On Tuesday, General Aziz told reporters that the allegations were false, concocted and part of a conspiracy hatched by vested groups.
Earlier, the Bangladesh government rejected the desperate “smear campaign” instigated by extremists and their allies, working from London and elsewhere through the report.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also hinted at taking legal steps against Al Jazeera for spreading misinformation through broadcasting its “false and fabricated” report against Bangladesh.
