Prothom Alo journalist aquitted in extortion case

A Patuakhali court yesterday acquitted Md Mizanur Rahman, Baufal correspondent of Prothom Alo, a Bangla newspaper, in an extortion case filed by an Awami League leader. Joint District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Jahan declared the judgment after examining all records and witnesses in the case. 

Mizanur Rahman was acquitted in two more cases as the allegations were found to be false. Police submitted final report to the court in another case, Mizanur's lawyer Advocate Md Lutfar Rahman Khokon said.

Advocate Md Lutfar Rahman Khokon and court sources said Md Alam Sikder, organising secretary of Chandradwip union unit of Awami League (AL) filed an extortion case with the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court in Patuakhali on December 17, 2014, accusing Md Mizanur Rahman.

Sarmin Sultana, wife of Mizanur, said a section of local AL leaders are harassing Mizanur by filling false cases as he published reports in his paper about corruption by local AL leaders and Noresh Chandra Karmaker, the then OC of Baufal Police Station.

Mother of Mizanur, Jahanara Begum, said, "Police tortured my son and sent him to jail illegally."

"I am also facing a false case of attacking police," said Mizanur Rahman.