CPJ stipulates  to free Probir Sikdar 

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) today called upon the government to release journalist Probir Sikdar immediately.

“Bangladeshi authorities should immediately release Probir Sikdar, an editor who was arrested on Sunday,” said CPJ, an independent, nonprofit organisation that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

A Faridpur court yesterday sent journalist Probir Sikdar to jail in a case under Information and Communication Technology Act, for “tarnishing the image” of LGRD Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.

Local Awami League leader Swapan Kumar Paul filed the case on Sunday after Probir in a Facebook post said his life was under threat and that the minister, businessman Moosa bin Shamser and condemned fugitive war criminal Abul Kalam Azad would be responsible if he were killed, police said.

Police produced the journalist before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court in Faridpur, seeking a 10-day remand. But the court sent Probir, 55, to prison and may hear the remand petition today, court sources said.