Journalists boycott health ministry briefing on Rozina

The journalists have boycotted a press conference organized by the health ministry over the arrest of daily Prothom Alo Senior Reporter Rozina Islam, protesting the apprehension.

Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters' Forum (BSRF) made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday morning.

The statement said the decision of boycotting the health ministry press briefing organized at 11am today has been taken to protest the humiliation and arrest of daily Prothom Alo Senior Reporter, and BSRF member Rozina Islam.

Earlier on Monday, journalist Rozina was confined and humiliated at the health ministry for around five hours for allegedly taking snapshots of official documents, and concealing some other ones at the secretariat without due permission. 

Later, she was handed over to the police, and sued under Bangladesh Penal Code, and Official Secrets Act.  

On basis of the allegations made by the health ministry, the health services division deputy secretary Dr Md Shibbir Ahmed Usmani lodged the case with Shahbagh Police Station.

IHR/SU