Prominent Bangladesh editor released on bail

From Anisur Rahman Dhaka, Sep 6 (PTI) An 81-year-old prominentBangladeshi-British editor was today released on bail onmedical grounds, nearly five months after his arrest forallegedly plotting the murder of Prime Minister SheikhHasina’s son. Shafik Rehman, a former editor of vernacular daily ‘JayJay Din’, was arrested from his Dhaka residence on April 16after the conviction by a US court for bribing a former FBIagent to get confidential information on Joy with the intentto "scare", "kidnap" and "hurt" Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joyin the US. Police said during interrogation, Rehman had admittedreceiving "confidential FBI documents" related to Joy. Rehman, a former speechwriter for Khaleda Zia, the mainopposition leader and the premier’s arch rival, was releasedfrom Kashimpur jail on health grounds, days after the SupremeCourt granted him bail. "We have released Shafique Rehman as we received the(apex) court order," an official of Kashimpur Central Jailsaid as family members greeted the chartered accountant turnededitor with red roses. "He needs intensive care. We will admit him to IbrahimCardiac Hospital in Shahbagh," said Sajib Onafis, Rehman’sfamily friend. His bail will expire in three months or when police submitan investigation report. On August 16, The Independent published a report quotingRehman’s son Shumit as saying he did not expect his father tolive to "see the year out". The report said that both Rehman and his wife werebecoming physically ill because of the stress of hisdetention. Noted for his satirical columns, Rehman will have tosurrender his passport precluding any possibility of foreigntravel during his bail. On July 17, the Supreme Court allowed the journalist tofile an appeal against the High Court order that rejected hisbail petition in the case. PTI AR UZM AKJUZM