Rights groups denounce Bangladesh editor's arrest

International media rights groups are voicing concern about the months-long detention of a Bangladeshi editor whose outlets reported on government corruption. Ekramul Haque was arrested in July on extortion charges, shutting down his Shersha Kagoj weekly and Sheershanews web site, which the Information Ministry has accused of ``character assassinations'' against government officials. After the High Court ordered his release on Nov. 1, authorities immediately rearrested him on new extortion charges the same day. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders says it is outraged by his ``new arrest on the very day of his release after three months in prison on trumped-up charges.'' New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists also protested the detention. Media groups say journalists in Bangladesh are routinely threatened, assaulted or killed for writing about corruption.