Why was Bangladesh's actress Nusraat Faria granted bail amid global outcry?

Dhaka, May 20 (NationPress) In a surprising turn of events, Bangladesh's prominent actress Nusraat Faria has been granted bail by a Dhaka court on Tuesday concerning an attempted murder case linked to one Enamul Haque in relation to the July 2024 movement. The actress, known for her portrayal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a film, was detained by law enforcement at Dhaka airport on Sunday while heading to Thailand.

Judge Mustafizur Rahman of the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court issued the bail order on a bond of Taka 5000 after evaluating the bail application, as reported by Bangladeshi media outlet UNB. The judge noted that the bail was granted following a report from the investigating officer, which indicated that Faria was in Canada from July 9 to August 14 last year, thus not present in Bangladesh during the alleged incident.

This arrest has sparked significant backlash from Bangladeshis worldwide, with Cultural Affairs Advisor Sarwar Farooki describing it as an “embarrassing incident” for the interim government under Muhammad Yunus.

Farooki commented, “In light of the backlash over former president Abdul Hamid's foreign trip, there may have been an overreaction driven by nervousness. Such incidents are unacceptable. I am confident Faria will receive the legal aid she needs.”

He emphasized that the government should focus on prosecuting those truly responsible for the July Uprising, adhering to a clear policy against indiscriminate arrests unless preliminary investigations confirm involvement.

Reports indicate that Enamul Haque was shot during the mass uprising in Dhaka's Bhatara area on July 19, leading to his hospitalization. After recovering, he filed a case on May 3, naming 283 individuals, including Hasina and 17 artists.

Faria is identified as the 207th accused and is labeled as a “financial supporter” of the Awami League.

Prominent members of the Bangladesh Cholochitro Shilpi Samiti have condemned the actions of what they call the “fascist Yunus administration”, asserting that such measures cannot be tolerated.

British journalist David Bergman also expressed his concerns, stating that arbitrary arrests on unfounded charges have become a pervasive fear in Bangladesh under the Yunus-led interim government.

He remarked, “It appears that merely being a known supporter of the Awami League makes one a target. We’ve reached a point where individuals can no longer feel secure in Bangladesh, as arbitrary arrests on baseless charges have become a legitimate concern.”

Bergman further elaborated on the government's struggles with its moral and political compass, emphasizing the indifference towards due process and fairness.