Journalists and staff members of the online news portal Bangladesh Times were taken from their office in Nikunja-1, Dhaka, on Saturday night and later released, according to statements from the outlet’s editor and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate.
Sabbir Ahmed, editor-in-chief of Bangladesh Times, said in a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday night that 21 journalists and staff members from the organization’s day-shift newsroom were taken away from the office at around 8pm.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Sabbir Ahmed said he was not present at the office at the time.
He said those who came to the office were wearing military uniforms and arrived in an army vehicle, and that journalists, office assistants and security guards were among those taken.
Journalists at Bangladesh Times said the outlet is an online news portal registered under the Ministry of Information, bearing registration number 215.
According to Sabbir Ahmed, he later received a call from a person who identified himself as being from the Uttara Army Camp.
The caller reportedly referred to a video published by the portal that showed an individual making remarks against the army during a protest held by Inqilab Mancha in Dhaka on Friday, and advised the outlet to exercise caution regarding such content.
In a Facebook Live broadcast, Sabbir Ahmed expressed concern over the incident, saying it took place at a sensitive time ahead of the national election.
He said the newsroom expected to be able to operate freely while maintaining professional responsibility.
At around 11:30pm, a live video broadcast on the Bangladesh Times Facebook page showed the staff members returning to the office after being taken to the army camp.
Confirming the development, Major Fahad of the Uttara Army Camp told media earlier in the night that the journalists had been taken to the camp for a discussion and that all were released shortly afterward.
He described the matter as “a small issue” and said there had been no mistreatment.
Responding to queries, Lt Col Sami-ud-Daula Chowdhury, director of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate, told Dhaka Tribune that “the outlet had published a report related to the Jamuna incident” which he described as provocative and unlawful.
He said that with the national election scheduled for February 12, the media must operate with responsible professionalism.
He also said he had been informed that all those brought in were released and that no one was mistreated.
