Sunny arrested over photos of girlfriend

DHAKA: Bangladesh police on Sunday arrested national cricketer Arafat Sunny for allegedly breaching strict internet laws after his girlfriend accused him of uploading sensitive photos on social media.

Police raided the home of the 30-year-old slow left-arm bowler in the Dhaka suburb of Aminbazar after his longtime girlfriend filed a complaint two weeks ago, said local police chief Jamaluddin Mir.

“She said Sunny opened up a fake Facebook account of hers and posted their personal photos, which she found offensive and defamatory,” he told AFP.

“We have arrested him and sent him to the court, seeking to take him into custody for five days for questioning.”

If found guilty Sunny could face up to 14 years in jail or a fine of 10 million taka ($126,340) under the controversial law, which local right groups say is being used to crack down on dissent.

There was no immediate comment from the cricketer.

“It seems to be a personal matter. We don’t want to comment now, however, we are observing (the situation),” Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP.

The spinner has played 16 one-day internationals, taking 24 wickets, and 10 Twenty20 internationals in which he picked up 12 wickets. He was suspended from international matches during the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 for an illegal bowling action. He has been playing domestic cricket for Dhaka Metropolis.