'Attack On Freedom Of Speech': Bangladesh Journo Found Dead In Lake

A Bangladeshi journalist was found dead in a lake in the capital Dhaka on August 28, amid ongoing tensions in the country. Deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, deemed the journalist's mysterious death as "another brutal attack" on freedom of expression. The woman, identified as 32-year-old Sarah Rahanuma, worked as a newsroom editor at the Bengali media house GaziTV, local reports stated. Her cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

What Happened To Sarah Rahanuma?

Sarah Rahanuma's body was found floating in Dhaka's Hatirjheel Lake by an unnamed local man, according to the Dhaka Tribune. The man took her to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital where the doctors declared her dead on arrival. An autopsy report is awaited.

Inspector Bachchu Mia, in charge of the DMCH police outpost, said that Rahanuma's body was kept in the morgue and the incident has been reported to Hatirjheel police station. In a post on X, Sajeeb Wazed raised the possibility of foul play in the young journalist's death.

Rahmuna Sara Gazi TV newsroom editor was found dead. Her body was recovered from Hatirjheel Lake in the Dhaka city. This is another brutal attack on freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Gazi TV is a secular news channel owned by Golam Dastagir Gazi who was arrested a recently.

— Sajeeb Wazed (@sajeebwazed) August 28, 2024

Meanwhile, the investigators found a suspicious Facebook status posted by Rahanuma on August 27. She tagged a person identified as Fahim Faysal, and wrote, "It was nice having a friend like you... I know we had lots of planning together. Sorry, can't fulfil our plans..."

In another Facebook post, Rahanuma wrote, "It is better to die than to live a life akin to death." Some reports state that the journalist was suffering from depression and might have died from suicide. However, these speculations have not yet been confirmed.