United News of Bangladesh

Renowned photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam returned home from Turkey early Saturday following his release from an Israeli prison. Shahidul was freed from Israeli custody on Friday and travelled to Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight. He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 4:45am. Speaking after his return, Shahidul said, “The love of the people of Bangladesh made it possible for me to come back. But we must remember that the people of Gaza are still not free. They continue to face attacks and persecution. Our work is not over yet.” Shahidul Alam set to return to Dhaka early Saturday His remarks were shared on the Facebook page of Drik, the independent media organisation he heads. Shahidul expressed gratitude to the governments of Bangladesh and Turkey for helping secure his release. “We need a thousand more flotillas like ours until Palestine is free,” he said.   Shahidul Alam arrives in Turkey after release from Israel captivity The Drik managing director had joined a Gaza-bound flotilla organised by Freedom Flotilla Coalition to demand an end to Israel’s blockade and atrocities in Gaza. Shahidul Alam’s release from Israel comes two days after he and scores of others were detained by Israeli naval forces that intercepted a group of vessels that attempted to break Israel’s siege on Gaza. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his cooperation in securing the release of Shahidul Alam and his repatriation from Israel.  

Efforts are underway to free Bangladeshi journalist and writer Shahidul Alam, who has been in an ‘Israeli prison’, with the help of Turkey, according to a Facebook post shared on the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Friday. Turkish authorities have expressed hope that Shahidul Alam may be flown to Ankara on a special aircraft later today (Friday), although they have not provided full assurance, read the post quoting Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Turkey Amanul Haque. He informed the authorities concerned on Thursday night. Following Shahidul’ s illegal detention by Israeli authorities, Bangladesh embassies in Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey have been instructed to work with local foreign ministries for his immediate release and remain in constant contact with relevant authorities. Arundhati Roy among family, friends demanding release of Shahidul Alam, others In a video message circulating on social media on Wednesday, renowned photographer Shahidul claimed that he has been ‘kidnapped by the Occupation Forces of Israel’ while travelling by sea in their flotilla heading towards Gaza. Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organised civilian maritime missions, said that the Israeli forces attacked its convoy of aid boats and seized several vessels en route to Gaza. According to the FFC, Israeli forces first targeted The Conscience -- a vessel carrying 93 journalists, doctors, and activists before intercepting three smaller boats on Wednesday. Press Secretary demands release of Shahidul Alam, others Israel and Hamas on Thursday made a ceasefire deal through the intervention of US President Donald Trump, who credited Egypt, Qatar and Turkey for their initiatives to end the prolonged war between Israel and Hamas.