Bangladesh TV Journalist Found Dead in Dhaka Lake – Sheikh Hasina’s Son Claims ‘Attack on Freedom of Expression’

Bangladesh TV Journalist Found Dead in Dhaka Lake – Sheikh Hasina’s Son Claims ‘Attack on Freedom of Expression’. In a tragic and shocking incident, Sarah Rahanuma, a newsroom editor at Bangladesh’s Gazi TV, a popular Bengali-language satellite and cable television channel, was found dead in a lake in Dhaka. The news has sparked outrage and concerns over the state of freedom of expression in the country.

Inspector Bachchu Mia, who is in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) police outpost, confirmed the discovery of Sarah’s body. Pedestrians spotted her body floating in Hatirjheel Lake and quickly pulled it out. She was rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where medical personnel declared her dead.

Prior to her untimely death, Sarah posted a haunting message on Facebook on Tuesday night. In her post, she expressed deep sorrow and a sense of finality, stating, “It was nice having a friend like you. God bless you always.

Hope you’ll fulfill all your dreams soon. I know we had a lot of planning together. Sorry, I can’t fulfill our plans. May God bless you in every aspect of your life.” In an earlier post, she had ominously written, “It is better to die than to live a life akin to death.”

The death of Sarah Rahanuma has not only shocked the media community but also stirred political tensions. Sajeeb Wazed, the US-based son of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has labeled the incident as a “brutal attack on freedom of expression.”

He took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns, stating, “This is another brutal attack on freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Gazi TV is a secular news channel owned by Golam Dastagir Gazi who was arrested recently.”

According to her husband, Sayed Shuvro, Sarah had gone to work as usual but never returned home. He received a devastating call at 3 a.m., informing him that she had allegedly jumped into the lake. The circumstances of her death remain unclear, and many questions are being raised about what led to this tragic event.

The death of Sarah Rahanuma has ignited calls for a thorough investigation and justice for the slain journalist. As the news spreads, it underscores the increasing dangers faced by journalists in Bangladesh, particularly those working for secular media outlets. The incident also brings to light the broader issues of press freedom and the risks faced by those who dare to speak out in a challenging environment.

The tragic death of Sarah Rahanuma is not just a loss for her family and colleagues but also a stark reminder of the perils facing journalists in Bangladesh. As investigations continue, the international community watches closely, with many urging for transparency, accountability, and the protection of freedom of expression in the country.