Following the attack, journalists staged a sit-in at Annex premises on Wednesday. Photo: Sumit Ahmed
Several reporters and media personnel were assaulted reportedly by the activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) while they were performing their professional duties at the High Court premises.
This incident took place following the High Court's verdict in the case of the attempted assassination of Sheikh Hasina at Ishwardi Railway Station in Pabna three decades ago.
The High Court acquitted all the convicts, including nine defendants sentenced to death, in the case of the assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On Wednesday (February 5), a bench of the High Court, comprising Justice Muhammad Mahbubul Islam and Justice Hamidur Rahman, delivered the verdict.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred around 12 PM after the verdict was announced in the case of the assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Journalists were waiting for a briefing from the defense lawyers when suddenly, over a hundred of BNP activists, led by Pabna District BNP President Habibur Rahman Habib, started causing a commotion. When journalists protested, the BNP activists attacked them.
The incident took place on Wednesday (February 5) in front of the Supreme Court Annex building. ATN News' senior reporter, Javed Akhtar, was seriously injured in the attack and was later admitted to Islami Bank Hospital in Kakrail. Ten other journalists were also injured in this incident.
In protest, journalists immediately boycotted the briefing and staged a sit-in at the Annex premises. Journalists working at the Supreme Court demanded a fair investigation and the identification of those involved in the attack.
The attack has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of journalists who were merely carrying out their professional responsibilities. Such acts of violence against the press not only undermine press freedom but also pose a threat to the democratic principles of accountability and transparency.
