The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Amnesty International have called on the Bangladesh authorities to release journalist Rozina Islam immediately.

They came up with the call as Ms Rozina, a senior reporter for the daily Prothom Alo, was arrested after the health ministry sued her under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act and the Penal Code in the early hours of Tuesday.

Accused of ‘theft’ and ‘photographing’ of official documents from the ministry in the case under the laws, she could face up to 14 years in jail and death penalty if charged and convicted.

“We are deeply alarmed that Bangladesh officials detained a journalist and filed a complaint under a draconian colonial-era law that carries ridiculously harsh penalties,” said Aliya Iftikhar, CPJ’s senior Asia researcher.

“Bangladesh police and authorities should recognise that Rozina Islam is a journalist whose work is a public service and should immediately drop the case against her and allow her to go free.”

The Amnesty said, “Bangladeshi authority's confinement of journalist Rozina Islam for performing her professional duties is an attack on journalistic freedom. Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release her.”

“Rozina Islam has been critical about corruption in the country's health sector. We urge the Bangladeshi authorities to refrain from this crackdown on people for simply expressing dissent, which is a legitimate form of expression,” the rights watchdog added.

On Tuesday morning, police took her to court seeking a five-day remand for her, but the court refused it. At the same time, her lawyers also filed a bail plea, and the court fixed Thursday for its hearing, meaning that Ms Rozia would have to be in jail for now.