Bangladesh holds UK journalists on sedition charges
Two UK journalists have been arrested in Bangladesh on sedition charges, after attempting to film a political documentary. Police say “anti-government material” was found in their possession. See also this RSF press release.
Zaiba Malik and Leopondo Bruno Sorentino were arrested on Monday as they attempted to cross into India at the western Benapole border checkpoint.The Bangladeshi authorities say the journalists spent two weeks filming in the country for a report on Islamic extremist groups.
But a spokesman for Channel 4 denied this, saying the footage was for a general report on the political situation in Bangladesh.
The pair were working for independent production company Mentorn Midlands, which has been commissioned by Channel 4 to make a film for its foreign affairs strand Unreported World.
– BBC, UK journalists held in Bangladesh.