Bangladesh has blocked the video sharing website YouTube, audio blog site eSnips, file sharing site MediaFire for hosting a recorded conversation between the newly elected prime minister and the country's powerful army officers, officials said Sunday.
Popular video site YouTube, blog site esnips.com and many other sites could not be accessed by visitors from Bangladesh territory since 7th March, 2009.
"Internet users have no access to YouTube. We understand that it has been blocked by the authorities," said Sabbir Ahmed, a director of the country's leading Internet service provider, BDCom.
"Nothing has been done which is beyond the jurisdiction of the government," BTRC chairman Zia Ahmed told bdnews24.com, when asked to confirm the reports.
The YouTube ban was also confirmed by a Bangla Newspaper Prothom Alo.
AFP reported that "The mutiny raised fears for Sheikh Hasina's government, which won elections two months ago to replace an army-backed administration."
here is the full story by AFP.
DHAKA (AFP) – Bangladesh has blocked the video sharing website YouTube for hosting a recorded conversation between the newly elected prime minister and the country's powerful army officers, officials said Sunday.
Internet users were unable to access the site after it hosted the audio tape, which appeared to show angry officers shouting at Sheikh Hasina over her handling of a bloody mutiny that has threatened Bangladesh's recent return to democracy.
The violence in the capital Dhaka 10 days ago left at least 74 people dead including 56 army officers who were butchered and buried in shallow graves by mutinous border guards.
"Internet users have no access to YouTube. We understand that it has been blocked by the authorities," said Sabbir Ahmed, a director of the country's leading Internet service provider, BDCom.
A senior government official told AFP the site has been blocked after it hosted "contents subversive to the state."
"The government can block any site that contains anti-state or subversive contents, which may cause unrest. We took the measure temporarily. It will be lifted soon," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The mutiny raised fears for Sheikh Hasina's government, which won elections two months ago to replace an army-backed administration.
Police have issued arrest warrants for more than 1,000 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) troops believed to have been involved in the bloodshed, and the alleged ring leader has been arrested.
Two US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials were to arrive in Bangladesh later Sunday in response to a call from Hasina for international help in catching the culprits.