May 12, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1424

PARIS, May 11: International journalists’ rights organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) says it’s decided to voice its “deep concern” over the kidnapping and arrest of journalists in Bangladesh.

The most recent caseinvolves journalist Athar Siddik Khasru, who was reportedly kidnapped by members of the ruling BNP in the southeastern town of Sitakunda on April 30.

It also expressed outrage about the arrest of journalist Mahmudul Haq on May 6, after he tried to investigate on Khasru’s abduction and criticized the police for their lack of action in the case.

A journalist with the daily Dainik Ittefaq and president of the Sitakunda Press Club, Khasru was abducted on April 30 after protesting about police and BNP harassment of his friend and colleague Haq, editor of the magazine Upanagar and correspondent for the pro-Islamist daily Dainik Sangram.

Haq said he was targeted by police after publishing articles accusing them and certain politicians of corruption. On April 29, Haq’s home was ransacked by BNP activists.

Khasru’s family claim that Khasru was kidnapped by the same BNP activists who ransacked Haq’s home, and that their reason was Khasru’s support of Haq.