Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DHAKA882
2008-08-18 07:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
SEDITION TRIAL OF JOURNALIST RESUMES, PROMISING TO
how-toVZCZCXRO2720 PP RUEHCI DE RUEHKA #0882 2310724 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 180724Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7250 INFO RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 8568 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 2298 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 9809 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0780 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0123 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA PRIORITY 1412
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000882
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR BG
SUBJECT: SEDITION TRIAL OF JOURNALIST RESUMES, PROMISING TO
DRAG ON
REF: DHAKA 374
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
SUMMARY
=======
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000882
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR BG
SUBJECT: SEDITION TRIAL OF JOURNALIST RESUMES, PROMISING TO
DRAG ON
REF: DHAKA 374
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
SUMMARY
=======
1. (C) The trial of Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin
Shohaib Choudhury resumed on August 6 after a motion to
dismiss the charges of sedition, treason and blasphemy was
rejected. A witness for the State testified before the court
and was cross examined by the defense. In a private meeting
with PolOff, Choudhury expressed some concern about his
situation but seemed at ease. The next court date for the
trial is August 31.
LEGAL WRANGLINGS
================
2. (SBU) On June 18, the Dhaka District Judge,s Court
announced the Appellate Division,s ruling on the Defense,s
&quashment8 (i.e. dismissal) petition. The court rejected
Choudhury,s appeal to drop the charges on the basis of the
evidence presented by the State and set a trial date for July
3. This hearing was later postponed until August 6. In the
interim, counsel for the defense filed another unsuccessful
appeal. Two Embassy observers were present at the court for
the July 3 hearing, which lasted approximately 5 minutes.
3. (SBU) In the August 6 court appearance the prosecution
sought to prove that the accused had published an article
entitled &Hello Tel Aviv;8 had attempted to communicate by
fax with individuals in Israel; and had possessed a
roundtrip ticket from Dhaka to Tel Aviv. During cross
examination, the defense refuted these charges and pointed
out that no such article was ever written and that direct
phone communication or travel between Bangladesh and Israel
would not have been possible.
NO RESTRICTIONS ON MOVEMENT
===========================
4. (C) POLOFF met with Choudhury twice before his most
recent trial date. He appeared in good spirits and confirmed
he is still in possession of his passport and can move freely
both inside and outside the country. Choudhury noted,
however, his 24-hour police protection was lifted in May and
he travels with an unarmed bodyguard. He speculated the Home
Ministry removed the police protection in order to appease
Islamist groups.
COMMENT
=======
5. (C) Like many others in Bangladesh,s overstretched
judicial system, Choudhury,s court case seems likely to drag
on. Even the accused is uncertain when the trial will end.
Local interest in Choudhury,s case has died down, but it
remains very sensitive for some religious groups. Post will
continue to monitor the case closely and urge the Government
of Bangladesh to respect international standards of justice
and human rights.
Moriarty
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR BG
SUBJECT: SEDITION TRIAL OF JOURNALIST RESUMES, PROMISING TO
DRAG ON
REF: DHAKA 374
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
SUMMARY
=======
1. (C) The trial of Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin
Shohaib Choudhury resumed on August 6 after a motion to
dismiss the charges of sedition, treason and blasphemy was
rejected. A witness for the State testified before the court
and was cross examined by the defense. In a private meeting
with PolOff, Choudhury expressed some concern about his
situation but seemed at ease. The next court date for the
trial is August 31.
LEGAL WRANGLINGS
================
2. (SBU) On June 18, the Dhaka District Judge,s Court
announced the Appellate Division,s ruling on the Defense,s
&quashment8 (i.e. dismissal) petition. The court rejected
Choudhury,s appeal to drop the charges on the basis of the
evidence presented by the State and set a trial date for July
3. This hearing was later postponed until August 6. In the
interim, counsel for the defense filed another unsuccessful
appeal. Two Embassy observers were present at the court for
the July 3 hearing, which lasted approximately 5 minutes.
3. (SBU) In the August 6 court appearance the prosecution
sought to prove that the accused had published an article
entitled &Hello Tel Aviv;8 had attempted to communicate by
fax with individuals in Israel; and had possessed a
roundtrip ticket from Dhaka to Tel Aviv. During cross
examination, the defense refuted these charges and pointed
out that no such article was ever written and that direct
phone communication or travel between Bangladesh and Israel
would not have been possible.
NO RESTRICTIONS ON MOVEMENT
===========================
4. (C) POLOFF met with Choudhury twice before his most
recent trial date. He appeared in good spirits and confirmed
he is still in possession of his passport and can move freely
both inside and outside the country. Choudhury noted,
however, his 24-hour police protection was lifted in May and
he travels with an unarmed bodyguard. He speculated the Home
Ministry removed the police protection in order to appease
Islamist groups.
COMMENT
=======
5. (C) Like many others in Bangladesh,s overstretched
judicial system, Choudhury,s court case seems likely to drag
on. Even the accused is uncertain when the trial will end.
Local interest in Choudhury,s case has died down, but it
remains very sensitive for some religious groups. Post will
continue to monitor the case closely and urge the Government
of Bangladesh to respect international standards of justice
and human rights.
Moriarty