US embassy cable - 05DHAKA2071

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Identifier:	05DHAKA2071
Wikileaks:	View 05DHAKA2071 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Dhaka
Created:	2005-05-02 08:24:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PREL PHUM IS BG
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 002071 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2010 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, IS, BG 
SUBJECT: DETAINED BANGLADESHI JOURNALIST RELEASED ON BAIL 
 
REF: A. DHAKA 1827 
     B. DHAKA 1866 
 
Classified By: P/E Counselor D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4 b. 
 
 1. (SBU) On May 2, Bangladeshi journalist Showaib Chowdhury 
called us to confirm that he had been released on bail and to 
express appreciation for the Embassy's appeal to BDG 
officials to accord him full due process.  Four persons, 
including his two attorneys, provided the taka 100,000 bail 
(about USD 1600) for his bail, which is due to expire on May 
25. 
 
2. (SBU) According to Chowdhury, he developed hypertension in 
jail and, when he was released on April 30, his blood 
pressure was 80/150.  He said he also suffers from glaucoma. 
 
3. (SBU) Chowdhury predicted that, since he has received 
interim bail, the BDG may drop its case against him.  He also 
hopes to recover the USD 3,000 police seized from him at the 
airport when he was arrested.  Chowdhury is staying with 
family in a Dhaka residential neighborhood. 
 
4. (C) Comment: Ambassador raised Chowdhury's detention 
several times at senior levels of the BDG (refs).  On May 2, 
Foreign Policy Adviser (and de facto foreign minister) Reaz 
Rahman remarked to Charge that he hoped the USG appreciates 
Chowdhury's release. 
CHAMMAS