Amnesty India has demanded immediate and unconditional release of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, saying debunking fake news is not a crime.
Mohammed Zubair’s continuing detention is an alarming reminder that “you are not allowed to speak the truth in India,” the rights watchdog said.
Fact-checker and prominent Muslim journalist Mohammed Zubair, bombarded with FIRs over the past few weeks, have been facing separate First Information Reports (FIRs) in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Hathras districts of Uttar Pradesh on charges of allegedly hurting religious feelings, making sarcastic remarks on news anchors, disrespecting Hindu gods, and putting out inflammatory posts.
“Debunking fake news is not a crime. @zoo_bear must be immediately and unconditionally released. #FreeZubair #ProtectDissent,” Amnesty India said in a tweet.
Meanwhile the Supreme Court today observed that it seems to be a “vicious cycle” where the moment Zubair gets bail in one case, there is another FIR against him in Uttar Pradesh.
The top court agreed to hear Zubair’s plea on July 20, who is seeking to quash six FIRs lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh.
