Solidarity with Bangladeshi student protesters

Bangladeshi students in Melbourne organised a protest on 8 August in solidarity with student protesters demanding justice for political prisoners in Bangladesh.

Shahidul Alam, renowned photographer and an adjunct professor at RMIT, was among those arrested in Bangladesh for supporting the protests, which began after two students were killed by a speeding bus.

Alam was dragged from his home by a squad of undercover police the day after he gave an interview to Al Jazeera. After seven days on remand, he has now been sent to prison for “spreading propaganda and false information against the government”.

Tear gas and rubber bullets have been used to disperse rallies. Students aligned with the ruling party have been accused of attacking protesters. Schools and universities have reopened, but protests demanding the release of those arrested continue.