Accused of ‘Defaming Islam’, Bangladesh blogger fears for family
Accused of defaming Islam, Bangladeshi blogger and secular activist Asaduzzaman Noor, fears for the safety of his family living at Amtali Upzila of Barguna district (around 320 km south of Dhaka).He says that his family is being harassed by the government for posting a Facebook video criticizing alleged appropriation of a Buddhist temple.Noor has been in hiding — in Bangladesh and abroad — for past several years after receiving death threats from Islamist groups for defending a Buddhist monk, and 10 Minute School, a pro-LGBTQ platform.He has been charged under the Digital Security Act, 2018, for defaming Islam — an offence punishable with a jail term of up to 10 years. Amnesty International has described the law as a serious threat to freedom of expression in Bangladesh.Bloggers, social me