Bangladesh Media Warned Against Publishing Statements by Deposed PM Sheikh Hasina Amid Death Sentence
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Bangladesh's interim government has issued a warning to all media outlets, urging them to refrain from publishing statements attributed to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The move comes after a special tribunal sentenced Hasina to death for crimes against humanity, including a brutal crackdown on student-led protests last year. According to a press release from the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), Hasina's statements may contain directives or calls that could incite violence, disorder, and criminal activities, threatening social harmony in the country. The agency expressed concern that broadcasting or publishing such remarks could violate provisions of the Cyber Security Ordinance. The NCSA emphasized that it respects freedom of the press but asked media organizations to exercise responsibility in the interest of national security. They warned against using false identities or accessing systems illegally to spread hate speech, which could result in up to 2 years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to 10 lakh Bangladeshi taka. The warning comes as Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August last year, after massive protests ousted her from power. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court, and the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced her to death in absentia for 'crimes against humanity.'
