Journalist's arrest a matter of concern, let them be free: Germany to India
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New Delhi: The German Foreign ministry urged India not to curb the freedom of journalists, and they should not be persecuted and imprisoned for what they write or express.
Implying the importance of enabling a free atmosphere for journalists to express freely, the German spokesperson said that the country is in contact with the EU partner for a dialogue with on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
The German spokesperson was responding to a question over the arrest of Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of fact-checker website Alt News, on charges of promoting religious enmity for a 2018 tweet, at a press meet in Berlin when he made this statement.
Hours later Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi retorted saying that no one is in their capacity to comment on uninformed matters.
The German spokesperson at the meet reiterated that his country is committed to the freedom of expression and freedom of press all over the world, and it is also applying to India as being the largest democratic country as it always describes itself.
Citing the Zubair's arrest, the diplomat said that the German embassy in New Delhi is monitoring it very closely and said that restrictions on journalists are a matter of concern.
Responding to the German spokeperson's comment on Zubair's arrest, Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Let me emphasise that there is a judicial process underway in this case. And I don't think it would be appropriate for me or anyone else to comment on a case that is sub-judice. I think the independence of our judiciary is well recognised, and uninformed comments are unhelpful and should be avoided."
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 and has been in custody since then — first under police custody, and later in judicial custody for an additional charge under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). On Thursday, he was sent to police custody for six days in UP's Sitapur over a separate case related to alleged remarks against some religious leaders.