Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Sunday said no journalist was sent to jail for expressing opinions during the interim government’s tenure.

“I am not aware of any journalist being arrested solely for criticism during our tenure. Any action taken against individuals was part of legal procedures based on available information,” she said responding to a question from a reporter at the Bangladesh Secretariat. 

When her attention was drawn mentioning the names of two journalists she said they were not imprisoned for expressing their views or their social media posts. “The state machinery certainly had some specific information.”

Rizwana Hasan urges action for horn-free streets in Dhaka

There were many who had criticised the interim government but they were not arrested for expressing their views, she said.

About the performance of the interim administration, she said it is not appropriate to label the 18-month tenure as either a success or a failure. “I have tried my best. The people will evaluate.”

On the departure of the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Tayeb, Rizwana said he had been living abroad and returned to the country for complete his state responsibility. 

He had stayed away from his family for one and a half years, while his family remained in the Netherlands.

“He has simply returned to his family after finishing his responsibilities. There is no scope to present it otherwise,” she added.

Vote ‘Yes’ for accountable governance, moral leadership: Rizwana Hasan

On the election issue, the adviser said it has already been decided that future national elections will be held under a non-partisan government. 

The caretaker government system has been reinstated following a court directive and subsequent elections will be conducted under that framework, she added.