Bangladesh Bans Facebook, Chat Apps for Security Reasons

Local Editor

Bangladesh authorities insisted Tuesday an almost week-long ban on Facebook and mobile messaging services would remain until security in the tense country improved.

The government last Wednesday ordered Facebook, WhatsApp and Viber blocked over fears of unrest after the country's highest court rejected appeals by two top opposition leaders against the death penalty for war crimes.

Analysts said the shutdown was aimed at stopping opposition parties organizing rallies in the run-up to the executions, amid anger over what rights group have called "flawed and unfair" war crimes trials.

Earlier in January, the regulator also temporarily banned messaging services Viber and Tango after they became a popular way of mobilizing large numbers of activists for anti-government protests.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team