Bangladeshi actor Meher Afroz Shaon arrested over sedition

Bangladeshi police arrested actress Meher Afroz Shaon on charges of treason after she criticised the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Her family’s house in Jamalpur was burned down a few hours prior. Shaon and her family have ties with the Awami League.

Additional Police Commissioner of the Detective Branch, Rezaul Karim Malik, told the Dhaka Tribune that “she was detained in Dhanmondi on Thursday night." Police said Shaon has been charged with treason and is being questioned. According to reports, she criticised the interim government of Bangladesh.

Shaon’s arrest came hours after the attack on her family’s house and the subsequent arson. According to local media reports, students and local residents set fire to the house near Norundi railway station in Jamalpur Sadar Upazila around 6 pm. The house belonged to her father, Mohammad Ali, an engineer.