The government has decided to expedite the withdrawal of cases related to ‘speech offenses’ filed under cyber act. In addition, those currently under arrest in such cases will be released immediately through legal procedures. This information was provided on Monday by Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.
Earlier, on September 27, ICT, Posts and Telecommunications, and Information and Broadcasting Advisor Md. Nahid Islam had stated that the Ministry of Law had been instructed to halt any actions or arrests in ongoing cases under the Cyber Security Act.
As of August 2024, there are a total of 5,818 ongoing cases across eight cyber tribunals in the country under the Information and Communication Technology Act (2006), Digital Security Act (2018), and Cyber Security Act (2023). These cases have been categorized into two types: ‘speech offenses,’ which involve the expression of opinions through digital media, and ‘computer offenses,’ involving hacking or fraud through digital devices.
Currently, 1,340 speech offense-related cases are pending, with 461 under investigation by relevant agencies and 879 under trial in the eight cyber tribunals.
Of the speech offense cases, 279 are under the Information and Communication Technology Act, 786 under the Digital Security Act, and 275 under the Cyber Security Act.
The government has decided to swiftly withdraw the speech offense-related cases. Among the 1,340 cases, the 879 cases under trial will be withdrawn in coordination between the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The 461 cases under investigation will be resolved promptly, with investigators instructed to submit final reports.
Those currently under arrest in connection with these cases will be released immediately through this process.
