Journalist allegedly threatened with death, case filed with Cyber Tribunal

A petition case has been filed with the Cyber Tribunal, Dhaka, accusing a man of allegedly issuing death threats, making defamatory remarks and harassing journalist and human rights activist S.M. Rabiul Awal through social media.

The case, Petition Case No. 397 of 2026, was filed against Md Suman Mia, 27, of Chhatak upazila in Sunamganj. The complainant invoked Sections 17(a), 18(c), 19(3), 27 and 30 of the Cyber Security Act, 2026 in the complaint.

According to the case statement, S.M. Rabiul Awal, who is a journalist and human rights activist, has been facing threats and defamatory campaigns on social media. He also claimed to have been injured during the July 2024 anti-fascist movement.

The complaint alleges that the accused had been sending provocative, defamatory and threatening messages to the complainant through Facebook and Messenger using a Facebook account named ‘Miah’.

The latest alleged incident took place on August 15 at around 8:30pm, according to the complaint. It said a post and messages were circulated from the Facebook account targeting Rabiul Awal.

The complaint further alleges that the accused made derogatory remarks about the journalist and threatened to kill him and hang his body on the roadside. It also alleged that the accused threatened to seize his movable and immovable properties and distribute them among members of the public.

The complainant claimed that the alleged statements were subsequently circulated online, causing him social, political, religious and family-related embarrassment. He also expressed concern for his personal safety following the alleged threats.

According to the complaint, Rabiul Awal went to Kadamtali Police Station on August 18 seeking to file a case. He was allegedly advised to approach the Cyber Tribunal as the matter involved cyber-related offences.

The complainant said some delay occurred in filing the case as he needed time to collect relevant documents and consult relatives.

Accused Md Suman Mia could not be reached immediately for his comments on the allegations.