Bangladesh authorities ordered a television network off air and arrested its boss on Tuesday after it broadcast a speech of Tarique Zia, the son of the country’s opposition leader, who remains locked in her offices following deadly political violence.
While police said the detention of the ETV chairman was prompted by its airing of “pornographic” material, a senior editor at the channel dismissed the official explanation as a smokescreen.
The move added to growing tensions in the politically volatile South Asian nation after a spate of deadly violence surrounding the first anniversary of Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina’s controversial re-election.
Four people died in clashes on Monday involving supporters of opposition leader Khaleda Zia as well as followers of Hasina and the security forces, exactly 12 months on from the election which was boycotted by 20 opposition parties.
– AFP
