Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam freed from jail

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladeshi photographer and activist Shahidul Alam was released from jail on Tuesday night after more than three months.

Mahbubul Islam, a jail official, confirmed his release to local daily Prothom Alo.

Alam was picked up in August by police from his house in Dhaka.

He was charged under the Information Technology Act, which activists say was introduced by the government to clamp down on free speech.

He was accused of provoking mass student protests in the country through a video message he posted on social media.

The High Court last Thursday granted him bail.

International rights groups, renowned activists including Nobel laureates Desmond Tutu, Muhammad Yunus and Amartya Sen had demanded Alam's release.

Alam, 63, is the founder of the Drik Gallery and Pathshala South-Asian Media Institute.