Bangladesh Court Bans Reporting Of Speeches By Son Of Besieged Opposition Chief Khaleda Zia

                      A Bangladesh court on Wednesday banned local media from reporting speeches by the son of the besieged opposition leader, after the authorities sought to muzzle dissent amid a wave of deadly anti-government protests.

Mr Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of opposition leader Khaleda Zia and her heir apparent, has made a series of speeches and comments criticising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her independence hero father.

Mr Rahman, who has been living in London since 2008, was declared a fugitive more than a year ago for failing to appear in Bangladesh courts in connection with corruption cases.

The High Court's ruling on Wednesday coincides with deadly protests which the authorities have blamed on Mr Zia, although the judges made no mention of the violence in their decision. "The court said as long as he remains a fugitive, no print, electronic or social media can publish or broadcast any news on his speeches, statements or meetings in the country," deputy attorney-general Biswajit Roy told AFP.