Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir, a recently expelled leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has been arrested in Dhaka in a case filed under the Cyber Security Act over an allegedly offensive Facebook post about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Confirming the arrest, Bogura Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ibrahim Ali said Tanvir was detained on Tuesday night and is being brought to Bogura as part of the legal process. He added that further details would be disclosed at a press briefing.

The case was filed on Sunday night by Maftun Ahmed Khan Rubel, president of the Bogura Sadar Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

According to the case statement, the Facebook post defamed the prime minister and attempted to create public confusion and incite unrest. It says the complaint was lodged after several BNP leaders and activists saw the post and discussed the matter with senior party leaders.

On Friday, Tanvir posted on Facebook accusing leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal of being responsible for attacks and obstructions during the NCP’s march programmes in several districts of Sylhet Division. Authorities allege that the post also contained offensive remarks about the prime minister.

Although the post was later deleted following criticism, screenshots of it circulated widely on Facebook, prompting the legal action.