'I want justice': Ekattor TV journo Shakil says in court; remanded for 4-days
Shakil Ahmed, former head of news at Ekattor TV, who was placed on a four-day remand earlier today (22 August), had sought justice in court after his arrest in connection with a murder case.
Addressing reporters present at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court before the remand hearing, Shakil said, "I want justice."
After the hearing, he and his wife journalist Farzana Rupa were granted the same remand order in connection with a murder case.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ahmed Humayun Kabir's court ordered their four-day remand.
On behalf of the state, Police Inspector Md Asaduzzaman pleaded for a ten-day remand.
He said, "These two accused conspired to suppress the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement."
Lawyer Omar Farooq Farooqui, for prosecution, said, "They [Ekkator TV] are worse than politicians. Politicians serve people. Because of them a government becomes autocratic. For the past 15 years, Ekattor TV has helped Sheikh Hasina's government become a dictatorship."
The lawyer further accused the journalist couple of making provocative statements on television during the student protests.
"They committed a crime. That's why they were running away."
Meanwhile, lawyer Zulfikar Ali filed a bail application on behalf of the accused seeking cancellation of remand.
He said, "Both of them are journalists. They have a small child. I want their remand cancelled and seek their bail."