Bangladesh frees two jailed journalists

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Two Burmese photojournalists arrested while covering a large influx of Rohingya refugees from their country have been released on bail, but they can’t leave Bangladesh because the charges against them have yet to be dropped, police said Saturday.

Their attorney, Jyotirmoy Barua, said Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat were freed late Friday after a court order.

The two were arrested on Sept. 13 for taking photographs and collecting “secret state information” in the Teknaf area bordering Burma and providing false identity to government officials, police said, adding that they violated immigration rules by coming in as tourists and working as journalists.

The Committee to Protect Journalists demanded their immediate release and the dropping of all charges against them.

Barua said they were trying to get the passports of the journalists and their other belongings from the police.

They can fly back home if permitted by the court, but that will depend on the police investigation, Barua said.

Court Inspector Didarul Islam said the two would be required to appear in court whenever a hearing takes place.

Burma is often called Myanmar, a name that military authorities adopted in 1989.

Some nations, such as the United States and Britain, have refused to adopt the name change.