Nine more individuals have been arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) over vandalism and arson attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.
DB Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed the arrests on Tuesday morning.
Earlier, The Daily Star filed a case accusing 350 to 400 attackers of storming its office on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue early hours of December 19, assaulting staff, looting cash and equipment, setting several floors on fire and sabotaging safety systems.
Losses were estimated at Tk 40 crore, forcing the newspaper to suspend its print edition on December 19 and halting its online services for 17 hours.
Prothom Alo also filed a case against 400 to 500 unidentified people over a similar attack at its Karwan Bazar office, alleging vandalism, looting, arson and attempts to disrupt publication.
The case was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Special Powers Act and the Cyber Security Ordinance. Total damages were estimated at around Tk 32 crore, while looted property was valued at Tk 2.5 crore.
PT/ra
