Salah Choudhury Explained

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
Native Name:সালাহ উদ্দিন শোয়েব চৌধুরী
Native Name Lang:bn
Nationality:Bangladeshi
Occupation:Journalist
Criminal Charge:Smuggling information out of the country,[1] sedition[2]
Money Fraud
Criminal Penalty:Imprisonment
Criminal Status:Imprisoned for 7 years,[3]
3 months and for 4 years

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a Bangladeshi journalist and the editor of the Bangladeshi newspaper Blitz.

Journalism

Choudhury is the editor and owner of the English language newspaper Blitz,[4] and editor-in-chief of Bangla weekly Jamjamat. Blitz is a tabloid which has been published every Wednesday since 2003 by Choudhury.[5]

The tabloid states that it watches, investigates, and focuses on Islamist militancy groups; and that it defends religious minority groups in Bangladesh.[6]

Impact

Choudhury's journalism influenced the Bangladesh government policy and popular opinion, and it prompted the Bangladeshi government to ban the Islamist group Hizb-ut Tahrir and the antisemitic publication Dajjal, which is published by another Islamist militancy group, Hizbut Towhid. A campaign against Zakir Naik led Britain and Canada to refuse him entry.

Views on Islam

Choudhury rejects the assertion by Geert Wilders that there are moderate Muslims, but no moderate Islam: "My Islam derives from the Koran. This teaches that Muslims, Jews, and Christians will all be rewarded for good deeds and punished for evil."[7]

Assaults

In July 2006, the office of Choudhury's newspaper was bombed by Islamist militants.[8] [9]

In October 2006, a mob stormed the Blitz offices and beat Choudhury, fracturing his ankle.[10] According to Bret Stephens, a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, in September of the same year, despite the government's reluctance to prosecute, a judge with Islamist connections ordered the case to continue because Choudhury had "spoil[ed] the image of Bangladesh" and "hurt the sentiments of Muslims" by lauding Jews and Christians.[11] After the police detail that had been posted to the offices had left, the offices were ransacked and Choudhury was badly beaten by a mob. When he lodged a formal complaint with the police, an arrest warrant was issued for him. The US Embassy in Dhaka sent an observer to his trial.

Choudhury later lodged a case in the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate against his attackers, most of whom were affiliated with the Cultural Wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

On 18 March 2008, members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) abducted Choudhury from his office at gunpoint. He was blindfolded and taken to an RAB office before being released. Series of written complaints were sent with the military-controlled interim government on this incident, but action was never taken by the Bangladesh authorities against the RAB.[12] [13] [14] [15]

On 22 February 2009, armed men claiming to belong to the Awami League entered Choudhury's office, ransacked it, and physically assaulted him and other members of the Blitz newspaper.[16]

Arrest and imprisonment

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury was arrested on 29 November 2003 when he tried to attend a seminar in Tel Aviv at the invitation of the International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace. He was charged with smuggling country information, sedition, treason and blasphemy in 2003, and a case was filed against him on 24 January 2004 by Mohammad Abdul Hanif, head of Airport Police Station of Dhaka, who claimed that he was a Mossad agent based on the documents found in his possession. On 9 January 2014, he was convicted by a Dhaka court of sedition under section 505 (A) of Bangladesh's Penal Code.[17] [18]

On 7 November 2012, the Dhaka court sent Choudhury to jail in connection to an embezzlement case filed by his business partner Sajjad Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Center for International Studies. He was convicted in 2015 by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court and sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment.[19] [20]

In 2014, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury was convicted and sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment by the Bangladeshi court.[21] [22] [23]

Choudhury faced charges of smuggling information out of country, money fraud,[24] sedition, treason, blasphemy, and espionage since January 2004 for attempting to attend a conference of the Hebrew Writers' Association in Tel Aviv. He violated the Passport Act by attempting to travel to Israel in November 2003; the Act forbids citizens from visiting countries with which Bangladesh does not maintain diplomatic relations, and is usually punishable with a fine. On 29 November, he was taken into police custody and allegedly blindfolded, beaten and interrogated for ten days in an attempt to extract a confession that he was an Israeli spy.[25] He spent the next 17 months in solitary confinement and was denied medical treatment for his glaucoma. On the intervention of US Congressman Mark Kirk, who spoke to Bangladesh's ambassador to the US, Choudhury was released on bail, though the charges were not dropped.[26]

Support for Choudhury

The campaign to get the government of Bangladesh to drop all charges against Choudhury was led by Dr. Richard Benkin. Benkin, like Choudhury, is an advisory board member of the Islam-Israel Fellowship.[27]

The European Parliament made a Motion for Resolution on 14 November 2006, in defense of Choudhury.[28]

Other entities around the globe that showed support for Choudhury and his ideals include the Parliament of Australia,[29] the Italian Muslim Association,[30] the International Society For Human Rights,[31] the American Jewish Committee,[32] and the Overseas Press Club of America.[33]

US House Resolution 64

House Resolution 64, introduced by Representatives Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), called on the government of Bangladesh to drop all charges against Choudhury, who was charged with sedition for writing pro-Israel reports. The vote on the resolution was held on 13 March 2007 and the resolution passed by a vote of 409 to 1, with 4 members voting present.[34] The house also noted charge against Choudhury engaging in fraud activities.[35] [36]

Other controversies

In March 2011, Aryeh Yosef Gallin, the founder and president of the Root and Branch Association (a nonprofit group that promotes cooperation between Israel and other nations), expelled Choudhury from its Islam-Israel Fellowship after reports accused the Bangladeshi of swindling "emotionally vulnerable single Jewish ladies" out of tens of thousands of dollars.[37]

Inqilab Television

Choudhury was the managing director of Inqilab Television, a private television venture run by the Daily Inqilab, and was also a correspondent for the newspaper. But he was dismissed from ITV(Inqilab Television) on charges of graft. He claims his ownership share in the station was sold without his consent. In a court appearance, Choudhury claimed that his arrest was motivated by the financial dispute over his ownership stake in Inqilab Television.

Publications

Choudhury's book Injustice & Jihad was published in 2007. In 2008, the Italian publishing house Neftasia published Choudhury's book titled Non Sono Colpevole (I Am Not Guilty) in Italian.[38]

He was interviewed in a documentary titled America at Risk, which was produced by Citizens United Productions, in the United States.[39]

Inside Madrassa, in which Choudhury wrote about madrasas and Islamic education, was published in 2009.

Choudhury opened a branch of the Israel-based International Forum for Literature and Culture of Peace. He wrote about the rise of al-Qaeda in Bangladesh and has written articles critical of anti-Zionist and antisemitic attitudes in Muslim-majority countries.[40]

Published works

Choudhury has written a number of books in Bengali, English, and Italian.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Man with 'Mosad links' held at ZIA. 30 November 2003. The Daily Star. 8 October 2018. 16 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181216180545/http://archive.thedailystar.net/2003/11/30/d3113001088.htm. dead.
  2. Web site: "Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury". 31 December 2017. Refworld(United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). 8 October 2018. 17 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717193131/https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a5c92eda.html. live.
  3. News: Bangladesh editor jailed for seven years over Israel visit . Dawn . 9 January 2014 . en . 25 March 2022 . 25 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220325005057/https://www.dawn.com/news/1079394 . live .
  4. News: Freund . Michael . 17 October 2006 . Pro-Israeli editor beaten in Bangladesh . The Jerusalem Post . 5 July 2012.
  5. https://www.au.org/church-state/november-2018-church-state/cover-story/bracing-for-the-blitz-the-religious-right-has-a Bracing For The Blitz: The Religious Right Has A New Game Plan To Make America More to Its Liking – and If It's Not Already in Your State, It Will Be Soon
  6. Web site: Why Forces Intelligence attacked Weekly Blitz office in Bangladesh? . ModernGhana.com . 2009-03-31 . 2012-07-05 . 5 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205041804/https://www.modernghana.com/news/208932/1/why-forces-intelligence-attacked-weekly-blitz-offi.html . live .
  7. News: Sacks . Brian . 2 September 2010 . Bangladesh's Muslim Zionist on trial . The Jewish Chronicle . https://web.archive.org/web/20100906222725/http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/37510/bangladeshs-muslim-zionist-trial . 6 September 2010.
  8. Press release by Committee to Protect Journalists.
  9. News: Albrechtsen . Janet . 15 November 2006 . No tolerance for love and mercy in Bangladesh . The Australian . https://archive.today/20121215195332/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/no-tolerance-for-love-and-mercy-in-bangladesh/story-e6frg6n6-1111112522090 . 15 December 2012 . 10 June 2013 . live .
  10. News: Freund . Michael . 3 November 2006 . US slams trial of Bangladeshi newsman . Holiday International . https://web.archive.org/web/20070325090704/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/2006/031106/inter.html . 25 March 2007 . On October 5, a mob stormed the premises of Choudhury's newspaper and beat him, fracturing his ankle..
  11. News: Stephens . Bret . 10 October 2006 . Darkness in Dhaka . A15 . Wall Street Journal . Opinion . 8 August 2017 . 14 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314152416/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116044907356287767 . live .
  12. Web site: McLeod . Judi . Bangladeshi Rapid Action Battalion swoops down on Salah Choudhury . Canada Free Press . 15 August 2020 . 11 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210211054559/https://canadafreepress.com/article/bangladeshi-rapid-action-battalion-swoops-down-on-salah-choudhury . live .
  13. Web site: 13 November 2011 . Assam Times - RAB's terror in Bangladesh . https://web.archive.org/web/20111113130401/http://www.assamtimes.org/Neighbours-World/1268.html . 13 November 2011.
  14. News: Bangladesh on Trial . subscription . Editorial . The Wall Street Journal . 27 March 2008 . 27 March 2022 . 27 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220327181608/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120656808100266605 . live .
  15. News: Stephens . Bret . Bret Stephens . 10 October 2006 . Darkness in Dhaka . subscription . The Wall Street Journal . 8 August 2017 . 14 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314152416/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116044907356287767 . live .
  16. Web site: Benkin . Dr Richard . Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury Attacked by Goons . Canada Free Press . 15 August 2020 . 30 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191130061918/https://canadafreepress.com/article/salah-uddin-shoaib-choudhury-attacked-by-goons . live .
  17. News: Shoaib jailed for sedition. 10 January 2014. The Daily Star. 24 May 2019. 24 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190524104126/https://www.thedailystar.net/shoaib-jailed-for-sedition-6242. live.
  18. Web site: Journalist gets seven-year jail sentence for decade-old articles | Reporters without borders. 9 January 2014. RSF. 24 May 2019. 24 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190524050153/https://rsf.org/en/news/journalist-gets-seven-year-jail-sentence-decade-old-articles. live.
  19. News: 20 February 2015 . Blitz editor sent to jail . The Daily Observer . 24 June 2019 . 24 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190624184730/https://www.observerbd.com/2015/02/20/73678.php . live .
  20. News: 10 November 2012 . Blitz editor sent to jail . The Daily Star . 17 November 2012 . 13 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121113122240/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=256959 . live .
  21. News: Winer . Stuart . Bangladesh editor gets 7 years for attempted Israel trip . 2022-03-25 . The Times of Israel . en-US . 24 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205935/http://www.timesofisrael.com/bangladesh-editor-gets-7-years-for-attempted-israel-trip/ . live .
  22. News: 2014-01-09 . Bangladesh editor jailed for seven years over Israel visit . 2022-03-25 . . Agence France-Presse . en . 25 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220325005100/https://www.dawn.com/news/1079394 . live .
  23. News: Tipu . Sanaul Islam . 2014-01-09 . Mysterious Salah Uddin Shoaib gets 7-year jail . 2022-03-25 . Dhaka Tribune . 9 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209160432/https://archive.dhakatribune.com/uncategorized/2014/01/09/mysterious-salah-uddin-shoaib-gets-7-year-jail . live .
  24. Web site: 2012-11-09 . Blitz editor arrested in fraud case . 2022-03-27 . Dominica News Online . en-US . 19 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819175844/https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/blitz-editor-arrested-in-fraud-case/ . live .
  25. https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27944.htm Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2003
  26. http://www.opinionjournal.com/wsj/?id=110009088 Darkness in Dhaka – A gadfly Bangladeshi journalist runs for his life
  27. http://interfaithstrength.com/images/RichardBio.htm Bio of Dr. Richard Benkin
  28. Web site: Motion for a Resolution . 14 November 2006 . European Parliament . 3 June 2019 . 20 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190620033520/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+MOTION+B6-2006-0601+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN . live .
  29. Web site: ParlInfo - MR SALAH UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY . parlinfo.aph.gov.au.
  30. Web site: IMRA - Tuesday, December 2, 2003 Italian Muslim Association asks Bangladesh to release Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury . www.imra.org.il . 15 August 2020 . 21 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200621153626/http://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=19026 . live .
  31. Web site: Bangladesh: Drop False Charges against the Journalist and Peace Activist, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury! . International Society For Human Rights . https://web.archive.org/web/20190417200035/http://www.ishr.org/?id=1077 . 17 April 2019.
  32. AJC Condemns Sentencing of Bangladeshi Editor Shoaib Choudhury . American Jewish Committee . 9 January 2014 . PR Newswire . 3 June 2019 . 3 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190603091907/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ajc-condemns-sentencing-of-bangladeshi-editor-shoaib-choudhury-239449361.html . live .
  33. Web site: Bangladesh April 7, 2005 . OPC . 7 April 2005 . 3 June 2019 . 3 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190603103422/https://opcofamerica.org/pressfreedoms/bangladesh-april-7-2005/ . live .
  34. Web site: Final Vote Results for Roll Call 139 . Office of the Clerk . U.S. House of Representatives . 14 March 2007 . 26 November 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081126074111/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll139.xml . live .
  35. Book: Congress, United States . Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress . U.S. Government Printing Office . en . 18 May 2022 . 11 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231111153717/https://books.google.com/books?id=wn45MQjzkmIC&dq=fraud+Salah+Shoaib+Choudhury&pg=PA2365#v=onepage&q=fraud%20Salah%20Shoaib%20Choudhury&f=false . live .
  36. States . United . Congress . 1873 . Congressional record: proceedings and debates of the ... Congress. . Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. . English . 0883-1947 . 5058415 . 12 March 2023 . 14 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200814115201/https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/5058415 . live .
  37. News: Luxner . Larry . 13 June 2012 . The unfathomable life of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury . The Times of Israel . 17 November 2012 . 19 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121119031345/http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-unfathomable-life-of-salah-uddin-shoaib-choudhury/ . live .
  38. Web site: 25 April 2008 . Non sono colpevole Choudhury Salah U. . it . 17 June 2008 . 21 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090421073741/http://www.unilibro.it/find_buy/Scheda/libreria/autore-choudhury_salah_u_/sku-12844781/non_sono_colpevole_.htm . live .
  39. Web site: Credits . https://web.archive.org/web/20100917052921/http://www.americaatrisk.com/credits.html . 17 September 2010 . America At Risk.
  40. http://www.cpj.org/news/2003/Bangla03dec03na.html Bangladesh: Journalist detained

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