Dhaka, Feb. 15 -- The folk singer faces imprisonment of up to five years for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during his performances on stage.

"Arrested for solely exercising his right to freedom of expression, Shariat Boyati must be immediately and unconditionally released," Amnesty International said in an 'Urgent Action' on Friday.

"The arrest and subsequent detention of Shariat Boyati is a clear example of how the Digital Security Act violates Bangladesh's international obligations," Saad Hammadi, the organisation's South Asia Campaigner, said in a statement.

"Shariat's words may have been offensive, but to arrest him on a vaguely defined provision such as hurting religious sentiment is a violation of the right to freedom of...