On July 12, 2026, two senior journalists were named as key accused in a police case following a mob attack on the Agailjhara Police Station in Barishal. Sub-Inspector Omar Faruk filed the case naming 43 individuals—including Agailjhara Press Club General Secretary FM Nazmul Ripon (Accused No. 21) and former Press Club President and Daily Jugantor representative Saiful Islam (Accused No. 22)—alongside 300 unidentified suspects. The violence erupted on August 6, 2026, after rumors spread regarding the custody death of a theft suspect, leading to a clash that injured 15 people, including four officers. Press Club General Secretary Ripon denied any involvement, calling the charges retaliatory harassment. Following press club protests, Information Minister M Jahir Uddin Swapan ordered police to review CCTV footage and refrain from harassing innocent journalists.
Sources: Daily Bangladesh Pratidin
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This information has been collected from open sources. Bangladesh Media Monitor has not independently verified the claims presented.