current demonstratons by PalestinDutch free lance journalist Peter Custers, who is well-known for his reports on Bangladesh, has been detained in Dacca Central Jail since 8 December. His health and savery are in leopardy First news of his arrest was published in the 11 February edition of De Groene Amsterdammer, a Dutch weekly of which he is a correspondert. Custers also works for the daily De Volkskrant and, outside the Netherlands, he writes occasionally for Le Monde and periodicals in India, Hong Kong and the USA. His colleagues in Dacca and abroad know him as a trustwortny and conscientious journalist well-intormed on bangladesh matters His sharp analyses of the situation in Bangladesh are highly valued.
in ue arrest warrant reter Custers was accused of unspecified 'anti-state activities'. The fact that the Dacca authorities have never publicly admitted his detention nor put him on trial before one of the martial law tribunals - how in operation - suggests that they have not yer decided wether to expel custers or proceed to a formal charge.
The fact that he is imprisoned in Dacca Central Jail is highly alarming The inmates are in constant peril of their lives, especialiy because of the existence of gangs of criminal convicts protected oy me orison autorities, nev not ont have power over fellow-prisoners, but are also enlisted tor the not very subtle interrogation methods of the police.
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Red Weekly 6 May 1976