More than 150 academics, doctors, human rights activists, journalists, and legal experts from home and abroad have expressed concern and protest over what they described as false accusations and defamation against Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, they said that following the December 18 news of the death of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the July Revolution, attacks and arson took place at two newspaper offices in Dhaka, and Mahmudur Rahman was unfairly implicated in those incidents.

The signatories stated that the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were attempts to silence the media and restrict freedom of expression. They condemned the social media campaign linking Rahman to the violence as a disgraceful act and an obstacle to independent journalism. They urged the state to identify those responsible for both the attacks and the defamatory campaign and ensure justice through legal means.

The statement further alleged that writers AFM Rashedul Haque Mallik (Maruf Mallik) and AKM Wahiduzzaman Apollo committed criminal offenses by spreading false and defamatory claims, calling for their public apology and legal accountability.