Dhaka: Bangladesh government on December 11 deported two foreign television journalists it had detained for alleged "anti-state activities" three weeks ago while attempting to leave the country.

The government in an "extraordinary gesture, agreed to deport two journalists" belonging to Britain's Channel 4 television network, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Reaz Rahman told a hurriedly-called press meet at the ministry.

The deportation order came after local dailies published reports that US government has raised the issue of detention of the scribes with the authorities.

Rahman however rejected the suggestion of being "pressurised" to release the two and said there was no "sedition" charge against them as was earlier reported.

Zaiba Naz Malik, a British national of Pakistan origin, and Leopoldo Bruno Sorrentino, an Italian, flew into the country early last month and were detained at Benapole at the Indo-Bangladesh border in Western Bangladesh on November 25.

They were brought to Dhaka on the following morning, produced in court, then taken on a five-day remand and sent to prison.

Rahman said the two were accused of impersonating and forging false identity. It was alleged that, failing to get visa from Bangladesh mission in London as journalists, they procured visa as tourists from Bangladesh Embassy in Rome.

The state minister said the two have been handed over to the heads of missions of their respective countries and are on their way out of Bangladesh.

"Both journalists have submitted statements expressing regret for the unfortunate situation arising since their arrival in Bangladesh," a government statement said.

PTI