Two journalists held for questioning in murder case

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A court in Dhaka has granted police permission to interrogate two journalists, Ahmed and Rupa, for four days regarding the murder of a garment worker linked to recent protests against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The couple was detained after attempting to board a flight to Paris, and police have accused them of inciting violence against the government. The garment worker died during a demonstration on August 5, which has been part of a larger wave of unrest that led to Hasina's resignation and subsequent flight to India. The political landscape in Bangladesh is shifting as interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, initiates significant reforms across various sectors, including the judiciary and central bank. This comes amid escalating violence, with the United Nations reporting over 650 deaths related to the protests. The U.N. highlighted that nearly 400 fatalities occurred between July 16 and August 4, with an additional 250 deaths reported in the aftermath of Hasina's departure. While acknowledging the public's anger over Hasina's authoritarian rule, U.N. officials emphasized the need for reform rather than retaliation, warning that punitive actions could undermine the interim government's commitments. The U.N. has dispatched a team to Bangladesh to investigate alleged human rights violations during the recent turmoil, with plans to visit Dhaka from August 22 to 29. The safety of journalists remains a critical concern, particularly in transitional governments. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stressed the importance of protecting journalists and holding accountable those who perpetrate violence against them.