A 21-year-old man has been sent to jail after police arrested him for allegedly posting derogatory and abusive content about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Facebook.

Mehedi Ahmed, a resident of Sadipur in Sylhet city, was detained from the area on Friday night and later shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. He was sent to jail through a court on Saturday afternoon.

According to police, Mehedi published a video containing abusive language against Tarique Rahman on social media during the prime minister’s latest visit to Sylhet. He also allegedly made several Facebook posts insulting the prime minister on different occasions.

Mainul Zakir, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station under Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said police had also found Mehedi’s alleged involvement in processions organised by the Bangladesh Chhatra League in the city.

“A case has been filed against him and he has been sent to jail through the court. We are investigating whether there are any other allegations against him,” he said.

Afzal Hossain of the City Special Branch (CTSB) in Sylhet confirmed the arrest, saying Mehedi had allegedly posted abusive content and videos about the prime minister on social media on several occasions.

He said Mehedi was arrested on Friday night and sent to jail through the court on Saturday after being shown arrested in the case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.