Guarantee right to fair trial: Amnesty

Amnesty International yesterday tweeted in support of Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, calling for a fair trial in the case filed over the accidental death of a school student.

"The editor of Prothom Alo and 8 others accused in a case of alleged criminal negligence must have their right to a fair trial guaranteed. The authorities must also ensure that the case is not used as a pretext to further restrict the right to freedom of expression," said the tweet by Amnesty International South Asia.

On November 12, a Dhaka court indicted Matiur Rahman and eight others in the case filed over the death of Dhaka Residential Model College student Naimul Abrar Rahat.

On November 1 last year, Abrar, a ninth-grader, was electrocuted during the anniversary programme of Prothom Alo's youth magazine Kishor Alo, when he accidentally touched a live wire.

The victim's father Mojibur Rahman filed the case with the Fourth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka on November 6 last year.

Matiur and eight others had pleaded not guilty and are now out on bail.

Editors' Council, an organisation of newspaper editors, previously criticised the move, stating that Matiur Rahman was not even at the spot of the event. It has also cautioned against external influence from any quarters affecting the course of justice.