Journalist released on bail

New York, November 12, 2003—Selim Jahangir, a photojournalist for the national Bengali-language daily Janakantha, was released from the Rajshahi Central Jail in northwestern Bangladesh on November 10 after being held 10 days and denied bail.

According to local journalists, Jahangir is still charged with obstructing an official from his duty and threatening an official's life.

Jahangir was arrested on November 1 while taking photos at a police checkpoint in the Shehab Bazaar in Rajshahi. Magistrate Abdul Majid ordered his arrest after Jahangir refused to stop photographing the checkpoint. Local journalists were outraged by Jahangir's arrest and are demanding that action be taken against Majid.