DHAKA: A teenager has been detained under Bangladesh’s harsh internet laws for making a music video mocking Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, police said Thursday.
Rabiul Islam, 19, was arrested on Wednesday in a northern town after a pro-government youth leader filed a complaint under the law, local police chief Abdullah Al-Mamun said.
“He made an offensive music video using photos of Bangladeshi and Indian prime ministers and posted it on his Facebook timeline,” Al-Mamun told AFP.
His arrest comes days after the country was rocked by deadly protests against Modi’s visit, mostly led by Islamists, in which at least 13 protesters died.
Islam faced court on Thursday and was remanded in custody, police said, and is expected to be charged with defaming and tarnishing the image of the head of government. He faces up to 14 years behind bars.
Activists say Bangladesh’s harsh internet laws are being used to suppress criticism of the government.
Hundreds of people have been charged since 2018 for alleged crimes that include smearing the image of the prime minister and other senior political figures.
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