Son of Hasina Wajid Warns of Nationwide Protests in Bangladesh

Sajeeb Wazed, son and adviser of exiled Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, warned on Sunday of escalating protests. He said supporters of Hasina’s Awami League would block the upcoming February election unless the party’s ban is lifted. Wazed, speaking to Reuters, said the protests could turn violent if the government did not act, heightening fears of unrest in the country.

The warning came one day before a court in Dhaka is expected to deliver a verdict in Hasina’s war crimes trial. Hasina, 78, faces charges related to a deadly crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. She has denied the charges, calling the case politically motivated. The trial, which is expected to end with a conviction, has further inflamed tensions ahead of the national election.

Hasina, who has lived in exile in New Delhi since 2024, remains a central figure in Bangladesh’s political crisis. Wazed expressed confidence that the verdict would be unfavorable, predicting that the court would likely sentence her to death. Despite the looming trial, he emphasized that Hasina is safe in India, where she receives full security. The exiled leader maintains that the charges against her are part of a political plot.

The Awami League’s registration was suspended in May after the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, banned its political activities. The government claims the ban is necessary due to security concerns and ongoing war crime investigations. Wazed, however, vowed that his party would not allow the election to proceed without their participation. He warned that protests would intensify and lead to more violent confrontations if the government did not act.

Political violence has already surged ahead of the verdict. Crude bombs exploded in Dhaka on Sunday, and 32 blasts were reported earlier this month. Buses have been torched, and security has been tightened throughout the capital. The government has deployed Border Guards and restricted public gatherings in an attempt to control the violence. Despite these efforts, Wazed and his supporters show no sign of backing down, further escalating the political crisis in Bangladesh.

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