Her Excellency Begum Khaleda Zia
Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Prime Minister’s Office
Dhaka
People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Fax: (+ 880 2) 811 3244

Vienna, 8 January 2003

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, is deeply concerned about the continued detention of Bangladeshi journalist Saleem Samad.

On 25 November 2002, Zaiba Malik and Bruno Sorrentino, two journalists working for the British television station Channel 4 and the independent production company Mentorn Midlands, were arrested in Bangladesh as they tried to cross the border into India. Their translator, Priscilla Raj, was also arrested. Saleem Samad, a local journalist who was helping with the arrangements for their trip, was detained on 29 November.

The TV crew was preparing a report on the current political situation in Bangladesh for Channel 4’s foreign affairs series “Unreported World”. The reasons for their arrest remain unclear, as no charges were laid against them. Zaiba Malik, Bruno Sorrentino and Priscilla Raj have since been released. However, Saleem Samad remains in prison.

Saleem Samad was granted bail on 25 December. Unfortunately, hours before he was due to be released, the government used a Prevention Order under the Special Powers Act to keep him in jail. No reason has been given to support this action. Moreover, IPI is alarmed by reports of his mistreatment while imprisoned.

IPI urges Your Excellency to do everything in your power to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Saleem Samad. We also urge the authorities to take all possible steps to ensure that journalists in Bangladesh are allowed to exercise their profession free of intimidation or harassment.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director