Bangladesh gets new chief justice: Who is Syed Refaat Ahmed?
File photo.
Syed Refaat Ahmed, the senior-most high court judge in Bangladesh, was on Sunday (Aug 11) sworn in as the country's chief justice a day afterhis predecessor, Obaidul Hassan, viewed as a loyalist of toppled premier Sheikh Hasina, quit following protests.
Ahmed, 65, was sworn into office by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the president's press secretary, Shiplu Zaman,told the news agency AFP. With this appointment, Ahmed became the 25th chief justice of Bangladesh, Zaman added.
Who is Syed Refaat Ahmed?
Syed Refaat Ahmed was born in 1958. Hestudied at the University of Dhaka, Oxford and Tufts University in the United States (US). Ahmed's father, late barrister Syed Ishtiaq, was a prominent jurist and an attorney general of Bangladesh.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
The greatest fighter jets that never flew: Top 8 cancelled fighter jets that had serious potential
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who rules the skies? Meet top 10 nations with most advanced fighter jets
)
Who cut off the crashed Air India plane's fuel switches? Report makes startling claim
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
US tried to shoot down this jet 100 times, failed every time! Here’s why
)
Indian woman caught shoplifting: US embassy issues stark warning says, 'It could lead to your…'
)
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla reunites with family after ISS return, pics strike emotional chord
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
F-35’s nuclear edge: Why the world’s deadliest fighter jet is now a doomsday machine
)
Exclusive: Horse racing needs security. We can’t dream if we’re unsure about tomorrow', says Indian jockey Suraj Narredu
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 must-watch psychological thriller series you can't miss on Netflix, Prime and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Stimulus payments worth $300 to $1,700 coming in July: Do you qualify? Here's how you can claim your rebate
)
'Swollen fingers, bruised hand, marks on ankles': Trump's photos from FIFA sparks rumours about his health - Here's the truth
)
Why is there no MRP in US? Here's how American pricing works
In 1984, Ahmed becamea lawyer in the district courts, and two years later he joined the high court division. Local media reported that Ahmedwas elevated to additional judge of the high court division in 2003 and was appointed judge of the same division two years later.
The 65-year-old has also workedat the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Hong Kong and Washington DC.
His appointment as chief justiceis the latest in a string of fresh appointments to replace an old guard, viewed as linked to the previous Sheikh Hasina regime, ousted by the student-led uprising.
Hasina, 76, fled to India after protesters flooded Dhaka's streets in a dramatic end to her rule.
Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel laureate, Muhammad Yunus, 84, came back to the countryto lead a temporary administration facing the monumental challenge of ending disorder. Yunus hassaid that the restorationof law and order is thefirst priority of the caretaker administration.
Hassan steps down
AFP reported that several top appointees have been forced out of office, including the national police chief and the central bank governor, after Sheikha Hasina's resignation.
Also watch |Will normalcy return to Bangladesh?
Obaidul Hassan resigned from the chief justice's postafter hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court demanding he step down.
Hassan was appointed last year. Earlier, heoversaw a much-criticised war crimes tribunal that ordered the execution of Hasina's opponents.
(With inputs from agencies)