Bangladesh: ICT Charges Against Detained Journalists Farzana Rupa & Mozammel Haque Undermine Press Freedom

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The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has filed new charges against two detained journalists from Ekattor Television—Farzana Rupa, the channel’s chief reporter, and Mozammel Haque, its managing director—allegedly for a “misleading” report on the deadly crackdown at Shapla Square in May 2013. The charges, announced on 7 March 2026, relate to coverage of security forces’ repression of Hefazat-e-Islam protesters, a conservative religious movement, during which approximately 200,000 demonstrators were met with violent suppression.

Amnesty International condemned the move, warning that the charges threaten press freedom and set a dangerous precedent. Smriti Singh, the organization’s South Asia Regional Director, stated:

Freedom of expression extends to information which some may find offensive, shocking or disturbing. Respect for this right is essential to ensuring healthy public discourse in a rights-respecting society. Journalists must not be targeted for opinions which are disagreeable, or their perceived links to political parties. Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Haque, who are already in detention, now face vague new charges relating to a story that was aired more than a decade ago. Their arrest in a case related to crimes against humanity is an afront to fundamental principles of press freedom and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the right of all journalists to report without fear of retaliation. The Tribunal has been blighted by serious fair trial and due process concerns, as well as for meting out the death penalty, which Amnesty International opposes in all cases.

Amnesty International

The charges follow the journalists’ ongoing pretrial detention on separate murder allegations tied to protests in July 2024. Farzana Rupa, detained since August 2024, faces nine murder charges, while Mozammel Haque, detained since September 2024, faces five charges—four for murder and one for extortion. All cases involve multiple accused, with some First Information Reports (FIRs) listing over 200 alleged perpetrators.

The Shapla Square crackdown in May 2013 remains a contentious event, with the death toll disputed. Prosecutors allege Ekattor Television’s report downplayed casualties to mislead the public. Amnesty International urged Bangladesh’s authorities to drop all charges against the journalists, emphasizing their right to freedom of expression and media freedom in compliance with international human rights obligations.

The ICT, established in 2010 to prosecute crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, has faced criticism for due process violations and the imposition of the death penalty. Amnesty International’s statement underscores broader concerns about press freedom and judicial fairness in Bangladesh.

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