Bangladesh journalist remains jailed after mistaken identity arrest

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 10 June 2026 |  JP Asia Desk

BDNews24 correspondent Mohammad Asaduzzaman was arrested in a June 8 pre-dawn raid in Jessore and is jailed under the Special Powers Act after authorities reportedly confused him with a politician. Rights groups say it highlights risks to due process.

Summary

DHAKA — A Bangladeshi journalist remains in custody after being arrested under the country's Special Powers Act in a case that press freedom advocates say highlights concerns about due process and the potential misuse of preventive detention laws.

Mohammad Asaduzzaman, a correspondent for BDNews24, was arrested during a June 8 pre-dawn raid on his home in Sharsha Upazila, Jessore district. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), authorities appear to have confused him with a politician who shares the same name. After being denied bail, Asaduzzaman was transferred to Jessore district jail pending a court hearing scheduled for June 11.

Concerns over preventive detention laws

The case has drawn criticism from press freedom organizations, which argue that the use of broad security legislation can place journalists at risk even when they are not the intended subjects of law enforcement action. CPJ urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that Asaduzzaman is not being targeted because of his journalism and that his right to due process is respected.

The arrest has renewed scrutiny of Bangladesh's Special Powers Act, which allows preventive detention in certain circumstances and has long been criticized by rights advocates concerned about its impact on civil liberties and legal safeguards.

Press freedom groups raise concerns

Media rights advocates warn that incidents involving mistaken identity can have a chilling effect on local journalism, particularly outside major urban centers where reporters often work with limited institutional support. They argue that detention under sweeping security laws, even when based on disputed information, can discourage journalists from pursuing sensitive or accountability-focused reporting.

The case also underscores broader concerns about legal protections for journalists across South Asia. Press freedom organizations have repeatedly called for stronger safeguards to prevent arbitrary arrest and detention and to ensure that journalists are not caught up in political or security-related investigations without clear evidence.

As of June 10, there was no public indication from authorities that the mistaken identity claim had been formally resolved, while the journalist remained in custody awaiting his scheduled hearing.

WHY THIS MATTERS: The case highlights the risks journalists face when broad security laws are applied without adequate safeguards or verification. For media organizations, it underscores the importance of due process protections and raises concerns about how mistaken identity cases can undermine confidence in legal protections for reporters and potentially discourage independent journalism.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available reports and statements from the Committee to Protect Journalists and BDNews24 published on June 10, 2026.

PHOTO: bangla.bdnews24.com