Bangladesh lifts YouTube ban imposed after mutiny

Bangladesh lifts YouTube ban imposed after mutiny

Dhaka (AP): Bangladesh has lifted a ban on the video-sharing site YouTube that was imposed because of a recording of a tense meeting between the prime minister and army officials after a bloody mutiny by border guards, an official said on Thursday.

Zia Ahmed, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, said the ban was lifted on Tuesday because tensions had been "diluted" since last month's mutiny left more than 70 people, mostly army officers, dead.

Senior army officers were furious at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for negotiating with the mutineers instead of ordering a quick army attack during the Feb. 25-26 revolt, at the Dhaka headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles, a paramilitary border patrol force commanded by army officers.

Mr. Ahmed earlier said the government decided to block YouTube because the clip threatened national unity and integrity. In the YouTube clip, Ms. Hasina defends her decision to negotiate with the mutineers as army officials shout and jeer, drowning her out and preventing her from speaking. The clip was also posted on blogs and overseas Web sites aimed at Bangladeshis. Some of those sites were also blocked, but Ahmed said he could not comment on whether those bans were also lifted.