Journalist persecution in Bangladesh has reached a terrifying new level. In Gazipur, Asaduzzaman Tuhin, a staff reporter of Dainik Protidiner Kagoj, was hacked and slaughtered in public after exposing local extortion through a Facebook live. Just a day earlier, another journalist, Anwar Hossain of Bangladesher Alo, was assaulted with bricks in front of a police station.
These chilling incidents have left the journalistic community in fear. Since August 5, 2024, over 200 journalists have been imprisoned, 500+ assaulted, and 2,000+ faced politically motivated lawsuits. Under the unelected Yunus-led regime, journalist safety in Bangladesh is facing its worst-ever crisis.
Sequence of Events: Afternoon Live, Nighttime Execution
On Thursday, August 7, around 7:45 PM, reporter Asaduzzaman Tuhin was sitting at a tea stall in front of Masjid Market in the bustling Chandna Chowrasta area of Gazipur. Eyewitnesses reported that a group of armed attackers surrounded him, hacked him repeatedly with sharp weapons, and finally slit his throat — all in front of passersby. He died on the spot.
Earlier that day, Tuhin went live on Facebook exposing roadside and shop-based extortion in Chandna Chowrasta. Just before the murder, he posted a video captioned:
“People crossing roads however they like — Gazipur Chowrasta.”
Tuhin, 38, was a resident of Gazipur and originally hailed from Bhati Para village in Mymensingh’s Fulbaria upazila.
BMSF Blames the State, Demands Immediate Arrest
In a statement to the press, Bangladesh Mofossol Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) expressed grave concern and condemned the government’s inaction.
Ahmed Abu Zafar, Chairman of BMSF’s Trustee Board, stated:
“We hold the state machinery responsible for its silence. The killers must be arrested within 24 hours, and fast-track justice must follow.”
Persecution Becomes the Norm: Journalists Silenced by Fear
Journalist persecution in Bangladesh is no longer an exception — it’s a recurring reality. From live videos exposing local crimes to critical investigative reports, journalists now face threats to life, legal harassment, and death.
Many observers claim the state is deliberately looking away, enabling a culture of impunity. As some have bitterly noted:
“In Bangladesh, no one is safe except Yunus & his cronies.”
Journalist Persecution in Bangladesh Demands Urgent State Action
Journalist persecution in Bangladesh has escalated into a grave crisis. The public slaughter of Asaduzzaman Tuhin is not just a tragedy — it’s a direct attack on freedom of expression and the people’s right to know. Unless the state ensures justice and protection for journalists, Bangladesh risks becoming a media graveyard.
