Bangladeshi police arrest mother over son’s Facebook post
Her son had criticized trial of an opposition politician belonging to the Jamaat e Islami by the controversial International Crimes Tribunal
DHAKA, Bangladesh – A 58-year-old woman, Anisha Siddika, was arrested in Bangladesh following a Facebook post by her son.
According to Amnesty International, Siddika was taken into custody on August 20 on charges of “sabotage” and “punishment for an attempt” under the draconian 1974 Special Powers Act.
The arrest was based on allegations that she had conspired with others to commit deliberate acts of sabotage against the government.
Her son had criticized the trial and conviction of an opposition politician belonging to the Jammat e Islami by the controversial International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh.
Nadia Rahman, deputy regional director for research in South Asia at Amnesty International, strongly criticized the arrest.
She said Bangladeshi authorities have shown an alarming tendency to be intolerant of people who hold different opinions, both online and offlin
She said the arrest of a mother immediately after her son made a social media post critical of the government was ridiculous and a new low in Bangladesh.
A Khulna City Court on August 23 refused to release her on bail.
Human rights activists stress the importance of protecting the right to express dissenting political opinions without fear of persecution.
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