Bangladeshi cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore detained with writer and activists over Facebook criticism

Ahmed Kabir Kishore, a Bangladeshi cartoonist, was arrested alongside writer Mushtaq Ahmed, activist Didarul Islam Bhuiyan, and another individual in an early morning operation conducted by the Rapid Action Battalion, the country's anti-terrorism unit. The arrests stem from allegations that the men operated a Facebook page called 'I am Bangladeshi,' where Kishore posted cartoons sharply criticizing the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Monirul Islam, a police spokesperson from the Ramna precinct in Dhaka, the detained individuals were accused of spreading rumors about the coronavirus, damaging the nation's and government's image, and creating public confusion. They were also charged with posting content related to Bangladesh's Father of the Nation and the liberation war. Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton, speaking to Australian Associated Press, stated that the state is using the Digital Security Act to prosecute those expressing public discontent, aiming to foster a climate of fear and suppress dissent. The security forces claim the Facebook activity included anti-government messages. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between freedom of expression and state security measures in Bangladesh during the pandemic.