CMP accuses Reuters of publishing fabricated police comments

The Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) has alleged that British news agency Reuters published comments attributed to a police officer without speaking to him regarding the murder of Saiful Islam Alif, a lawyer at the Chittagong court.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CMP said the report titled "One killed in Bangladesh as Hindu protesters clash with police" published by Reuters has come to its attention.

This report was subsequently republished by other outlets, including Voice of America.

According to the CMP statement, the report quoted CMP Deputy Commissioner (South) Liaquat Ali, saying: “A Muslim lawyer defending Das was killed amid protests outside the court (in Chittagong).

However, the CMP said neither Reuters nor any journalist from the agency contacted the officer for comment.

At the time of the incident, he was actively engaged in maintaining law and order around the court premises.

The CMP further clarified that there are four constables named Liaquat in Chittagong, none of whom made any statement regarding the incident.

The CMP said it considers this to be a violation of journalistic ethics, as publishing fabricated quotes under the guise of being from a responsible police officer undermines credibility.

It expressed hope that Reuters and other media outlets would adopt a more responsible approach when publishing such reports in the future.

The statement was shared on social media by Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser.

Earlier, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing called some Indian media reports false over slain Chittagong lawyer Saiful Islam Alif claiming that he was representing Chinmoy Krishna Das.

In a Facebook post it said some Indian media outlets are claiming that Saiful, who was brutally murdered in Chittagong, was representing Chinmoy Krishna Das but the claim is false and was being spread with mala fide intentions.

"The vakalatnama produced by Chinmoy Krishna Das to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court shows that advocate Subasish Sharma is his lawyer. We request everyone to refrain from any provocative, false report," the post read.

On Tuesday afternoon, followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the Sanatan Jagaran Jote, clashed with law enforcement near the court after his bail was denied.

The clashes escalated, and during the turmoil, lawyer Saiful Islam was reportedly picked up from the court area and hacked to death.