Mohammad Ekramul Haque, owner and editor of the Bangladeshi online newspaper, Sheershanews.com and the weekly Sheersha Kagoj, has been arrested on a charge of extortion.
Police told the court in Dhaka that Haque had threatened a travel agency with negative coverage unless he was paid Tk 200,000 (£1,700).
But the editor's colleagues say the agency does not exist. They issued a press release stating that Haque's arrest was connected instead to coverage in his newspaper of alleged government corruption in construction and public works projects.
A charge of sexual harassment was brought against Haque last month, but it was dropped after the plaintiff failed to turn up to court and later proved to be fictitious.
The authorities rescinded the accreditation of Sheershanews.com and Sheersha Kagoj two weeks ago.
Sources: Daily Star, Dhaka/IPI
