Authorities in Bangladesh have freed two European journalists detained last month on charges of trying to tarnish the country's image, and ordered them deported.
Bangladesh Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Reaz Rahman announced the government's decision today (Wednesday) in Dhaka.
The two journalists -- British national Zaiba Malik and Italian Runo Sorrentino -- were detained on November 25th in western Bangladesh as they tried to leave for India after reporting for a program on Britain's Channel-Four television.
Police said they seized documents and films from the journalists that were "intended to tarnish the image of Bangladesh."
Their arrests drew protests from Bangladeshi reporters, foreign journalist groups, as well as London-based Amnesty International.
Police also arrested at least one Bangladeshi journalist for allegedly assisting the Europeans. Officials say his fate is to be decided by a court.