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.

Opinion

Editorial

Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...
Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....