JOURNALIST'S SEDITION CASE HEARING UNEVENTFUL

UNCLAS DHAKA 006261 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BG SUBJECT: JOURNALIST'S SEDITION CASE HEARING UNEVENTFUL REF: A. DHAKA 06225 ¶B. DHAKA 06257 ¶1. (SBU) On October 12, the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court held a charge framing hearing on the sedition case against journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury. An Embassy observer was present for the hearing, which lasted just five minutes. The defense attempted to compel the court to review a decision regarding plane tickets submitted as evidence, but the judge dismissed the defense motion. The judge set November 13 for the first witnesses to be heard in the case. ¶2. (SBU) POLOFF spoke with Choudhury by phone after the hearing to check on his status. Choudhury confirmed that the case would resume in November. He also claimed the judge was "biased" and that the judge had refused to listen to the defense case regarding the evidence. ¶3. (SBU) Also on October 12, Charge d'Affaires reiterated to Home Minister of State Lutfozzaman Babar that the Embassy remains very engaged in the Choudhury case, and that the case has the attention of Washington. She restated the Embassy's concern that Choudhury get due process, and asked again that his safety be guaranteed. Babar said that he has been personally engaged on Choudhury's case for two years, there is a long history regarding Choudhury, and that he fully understands and appreciates the USG position. He repeated his assurances of Choudhury's safety and said he had sent undercover police to Choudhury's home for added protection. Choudhury subsequently confirmed to POLOFF that police protection had arrived at his home at 1100 hrs local. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT. We will continue to monitor Choudhury's case closely, including his sedition trial set for November ¶13. END COMMENT. PASI