Shakil, Farzana held at Dhaka airport

Shakil Ahmed, former head of news at Ekattor Television, and its principal correspondent, Farzana Rupa, were apprehended at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as they attempted to flee the country.

Law enforcement officials confirmed the arrests, citing outstanding legal cases against the journalists. A request from the Detective Branch (DB) led to their detention at the airport.

While the specific reasons for their arrest remain unclear, sources indicate that they were scheduled to depart on a Turkish Airlines flight to France via Turkey.

A high-ranking official from the Detective Branch's Lalbagh division confirmed the arrests to The Daily Star.

The detentions come weeks after Ekattor Television dismissed Shakil and Farzana Rupa on August 8.