DB arrests senior journalist Shaukat Mahmood in Dhaka

Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested senior journalist and former president of Jatiya Press Club, Shaukat Mahmood, from Dhaka's Malibagh area today.

Shafiqul Islam, additional commissioner (DB) of DMP, confirmed the development to The Daily Star around 4:00pm.

Shaukat Mahmood, who previously served as vice-chairman of BNP, was expelled from the post in March 2023 for alleged involvement in anti-party activities.

In April this year, a new political party -- Janata Party Bangladesh (People's Party Bangladesh) -- was launched under the leadership of noted actor and road safety activist Ilias Kanchan. Journalist Shaukat was named the party's secretary general.

He was arrested in a case filed against Enayet Karim Chowdhury, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, with Ramna Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

"We arrested him in the case, and investigators found his involvement during the investigation," Shafiqul told The Daily Star.

On September 14 this year, Sub-Inspector Azizul Hakim of Ramna Police Station filed the case against the 55-year-old Enayet.

According to the case statement, "During primary interrogation, Enayet confessed that he came to Bangladesh as an agent of a foreign intelligence agency to overthrow the present interim government.

This claim was initially supported by data found in the seized mobile phones in his possession.

Enayet was arrested on September 13 under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure from Dhaka's Minto Road.