Writer and activist Mushtaq Ahmed dies in prison
The 53-year-old dissident intellectual had been in prison since May. He was arrested under the Digital Security Act for criticising the government on social media over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the privileged treatment received by some VIPs. University students take to the streets to demand justice and the release of cartoonist Kabir Kishore.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Dissident writer Mushtaq Ahmed passed away yesterday at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Dhaka a few days after suffering a heart attack in his cell at the Kashimpur High Security Prison.
At least, that is the official version released by the authorities; however, a doctor at the hospital claims Ahmed was already dead when he arrived at the hospital, after being he was removed from his prison cell.
Security forces arrested him last May and indicted him for violating the Digital Security Act after he criticised the Government of Bangladesh in a Facebook post.
In it, the intellectual complained that certain VIPs were getting special priority in COVID-19 treatment and that some doctors were not getting paid. The 53-year-old was also very critical of the government on a number of issues.
Police say Mushtaq Ahmed (pictured) was spreading false information and slander, via social media.
“Mushtaq was brought dead at the hospital,” said Dr Sharif, of the Shaheed Tajuddin Medical College Hospital. “However, the exact cause of his death can be confirmed once the autopsy is done.”
Calls for his release were made over the past few months. Shortly after his arrest in May, at least 300 prominent Bangladeshis issued a joint statement calling for his release, along with that of cartoonist Ahmed Kishore.
Yesterday evening, a group of students from Dhaka University protested his death, denouncing the government. Alik Mree was one of them.
“Writer Mushtaq Ahmed died as a result of the Digital Security Act,” said the young Christian, speaking to AsiaNews. This “is why we are calling for the abolition of the law. We want an investigation" that sheds full light on the matter.
For many people, the writer's death is state murder, and Bangladeshi authorities have to answer for it
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists is also calling for an in-depth investigation into Mushtaq Ahmed’s death in order for justice to be served.
“Bangladeshi authorities,” the group writes, “should conduct a swift, transparent, and independent investigation into the death of writer and commentator Mushtaq Ahmed in custody, and should release jailed political cartoonist Kabir Kishore unconditionally and investigate claims that he was subjected to physical abuse in custody.”
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