In an ongoing crackdown by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh, several Awami League leaders were placed under police remand on Wednesday for interrogation. This development comes as the interim administration continues to pursue cases against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her supporters.
A Bangladesh court ordered an 18-day remand for Zafar Alam, former Member of Parliament and Awami League President of Chakaria Upazila. This order, issued by Chakaria Senior Judicial Magistrate Anwarul Kabir, is connected to seven separate cases. Following the decision, Awami League leaders and activists protested in Chakaria Municipality’s Moghbazar area, alleging that Alam’s arrest and charges were baseless. Chakaria Senior Judicial Magistrate Court Police Inspector Anwar Hossain noted tight security around the court during Alam’s remand hearing, preventing any chaotic situations despite morning rain.
In separate proceedings in Dhaka, a court ordered a five-day remand for former Law Minister Anisul Haque and a three-day remand for former Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain in connection with different cases. Haque was arrested on August 11, 2024, after the fall of the Awami League government. Mosharraf Hossain and Turin Afroz, former prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, were also arrested later. Additionally, Babul Sardar Chakhari, Chairman of the Bangladesh People’s Party (BPP), received a three-day police remand for interrogation.
The former Law Minister’s remand is tied to a murder case filed at Shahbagh Police Station. Media reports indicate that police sought a seven-day remand for Mosharraf Hossain and Babul Sardar Chakhari in an attempted murder case at Paltan Police Station, with the court ultimately granting a three-day remand.
The Muhammad Yunus-led administration has issued multiple arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members, and various Awami League supporters. Analysts view these actions as a significant political vendetta by the interim government, with numerous cases reportedly filed on frivolous grounds immediately after Hasina’s ouster in August 2024. Hasina’s unceremonious exit last August was widely seen as a setback for democratic governance in the country. The interim government has also drawn considerable criticism for allegedly providing refuge to radical and extremist Islamic groups.