Bagerhat Correspondent:

Prominent human rights activist and photographer Dr. Shahidul Alam has returned home after being released from an Israeli prison. He landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:55 am on Saturday (October 11).

While talking to reporters after returning home, he said, “Gaza is not yet liberated, the attack is still going on there. Our work is not over. What happened to us is nothing compared to the torture being inflicted on the people of Gaza.”

Shahidul Alam thanked the countrymen, the Bangladesh government and everyone who worked internationally for his release. He said, “This release is the result of the joint efforts of all of us. However, our fight is not over until Palestine is free.”

Earlier, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed deep gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for helping Shahidul Alam’s release and safe return.

Immediately after his arrest by the Israeli forces, the Bangladesh embassies in Jordan, Egypt and Turkey were asked to take immediate diplomatic initiatives as per the instructions of the Chief Adviser's Office. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted the concerned countries and took immediate steps to ensure his release.

Shahidul Alam was given the opportunity to return home after reaching Turkey from Tel Aviv. It is learnt that he was one of the members of the 'Consciousness' ship. The journalists, health workers and crew members on that ship were detained by the Israeli occupation forces early on Wednesday.

Returning to Bangladesh, Shahidul Alam said, "Our struggle for humanitarian aid, justice and freedom will continue."