ARTICLE 19, a British human rights organization focusing on the defense and promotion of freedom of expression, has called for immediate and unconditional release of journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol from custody, who was arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in Jessore on May 3.
Expressing serious concern over the abuse of legal proceedings against Kajol, who had been missing for more than two months, the international human rights organization observed: the handcuffing of a kidnapped citizen on the back, his re-arrest after being granted bail in a case by the court, abusing another law only to prevent his release, and blocking the family from visiting him in prison - all these happened on the same day in Kajol's case, as a clear violation of fundamental rights and the law.
Fifty-three days into his disappearance, Kajol was found in Benapole on Sunday, but was subsequently arrested and sent to jail.
Soon after being found, he was arrested by Benapole police -- initially on charges of trespassing, and then later in the evening under section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure -- and sent to Jashore prison.
