Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Secretary General of Bangladesh's main opposition party BNP has been detained by police on Sunday (Oct 29), the country's local media reports said.&nbsp;"Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been picked up by officers of the law enforcing agency," the Bangladesh Nationalist Party reportedly said.

This comes as Bangladesh witnessed violent incidents on Saturday (Oct 28) as police and BNP workers clashed resulting in the killing of a police officer and a political activist while several others were injured.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/active-shooting-situation-in-california-mall-three-injured-report-652502">Shooter opens fire in California mall before escaping, three injured: Report</a>

The BNP leader was apprehended by Detective Branch (DB) of Police from Dhaka's Gulshan area, a member of the BNP chairperson's press wing Shamsuddin Didar told local media.&nbsp;

While confirming the reports of Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s arrest, his wife Rahat Ara Begum said that some DB officers reached their house in the morning where her husband engaged in conversation with them.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/civilian-plane-intercepted-near-bidens-home-fighter-jets-scramble-as-precaution-652493">Civilian plane intercepted near Biden's home, fighter jets scramble as precaution</a>

As per reports, the police official took hold of hard disks from both the house and the building.&nbsp;About ten minutes later, the officials returned and took away Mirza Fakhrul.

After what is seen as a crackdown by police against the opposition leaders during anti-government protests in Dhaka's Kakrail area, BNP has called a nationwide strike on Sunday (Oct 29). According to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the strike will continue till 6 pm during the party’s rally at Naya Paltan.

According to a report from The Daily Star, law enforcement personnel used teargas canisters, sound grenades, and firearms to scatter the BNP leaders and supporters who had assembled in Nayapaltan and the vicinity throughout the Saturday (Oct 28) morning.

<h2>US to review incidents for 'possible visa restrictions'&nbsp;</h2>

In a statement on Saturday, the United States condemned the ensuing&nbsp;violence and called for "calm and restraint on all sides and will review all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions."&nbsp; 
 
"We will be reviewing all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions," it added.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-prepares-for-invasion-in-gaza-un-fails-to-secure-plans-for-aid-652501">Israel prepares for invasion in Gaza, UN fails to secure plans for aid</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-prepares-for-invasion-in-gaza-un-fails-to-secure-plans-for-aid-652501/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Commenting on the arrest which comes as Bangladesh is expected to head for elections in January next year, DB Additional Deputy Commissioner (Gulshan Division) Hafiz Al Asad said that Mirza Fakhrul Islam was taken for interrogation.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Secretary General of Bangladesh's main opposition party BNP has been detained by police on Sunday (Oct 29), the country's local media reports said.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Secretary General of Bangladesh's main opposition party BNP has been detained by police on Sunday (Oct 29), the country's local media reports said. "Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been picked up by officers of the law enforcing agency," the Bangladesh Nationalist Party reportedly said. This comes as Bangladesh witnessed violent incidents on Saturday (Oct 28) as police and BNP workers clashed resulting in the killing of a police officer and a political activist while several others were injured. Also Read | Shooter opens fire in California mall before escaping, three injured: Report The BNP leader was apprehended by Detective Branch (DB) of Police from Dhaka's Gulshan area, a member of the BNP chairperson's press wing Shamsuddin Didar told local media. While confirming the reports of Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s arrest, his wife Rahat Ara Begum said that some DB officers reached their house in the morning where her husband engaged in conversation with them. Also Read | Civilian plane intercepted near Biden's home, fighter jets scramble as precaution As per reports, the police official took hold of hard disks from both the house and the building. About ten minutes later, the officials returned and took away Mirza Fakhrul. After what is seen as a crackdown by police against the opposition leaders during anti-government protests in Dhaka's Kakrail area, BNP has called a nationwide strike on Sunday (Oct 29). According to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the strike will continue till 6 pm during the party’s rally at Naya Paltan. According to a report from The Daily Star, law enforcement personnel used teargas canisters, sound grenades, and firearms to scatter the BNP leaders and supporters who had assembled in Nayapaltan and the vicinity throughout the Saturday (Oct 28) morning. US to review incidents for 'possible visa restrictions' In a statement on Saturday, the United States condemned the ensuing violence and called for "calm and restraint on all sides and will review all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions." "We will be reviewing all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions," it added. Watch | Israel prepares for invasion in Gaza, UN fails to secure plans for aid × Commenting on the arrest which comes as Bangladesh is expected to head for elections in January next year, DB Additional Deputy Commissioner (Gulshan Division) Hafiz Al Asad said that Mirza Fakhrul Islam was taken for interrogation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Bangladesh opposition leader arrested from Dhaka home after clashes at BNP rally

A Bangladesh court sentenced the country's exiled opposition leader and his wife in absentia over corruption charges on Wednesday, the news agency AFP reported citing lawyers.

After the court's verdict, thousands of supporters of the Bangladeshi leader took to the streets to stage demonstrations calling the trial politically motivated.

55-year-old Tarique Rahman, who is the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sentenced to nine years in prison on Wednesday and his wife Zubaida Rahman, was handed a three-year sentence, Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Khushid Alam Khan told news agency AFP.

"He was sentenced to nine years in jail for concealing income and accumulating wealth disproportionate to his income, and his wife was sentenced to three years in jail for abetting her husband," Khan said.

BNP lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder called the sentence "100 per cent politically motivated", saying the case was meant to keep Tarique Rahman "off from politics ahead of the December-January general election".

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/brics-summit-india-confirms-in-person-participation-of-pm-modi-622104">India confirms PM Modi's in-person attendance at BRICS summit in South Africa</a>

<h2>What are the protesters demanding?</h2>

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have staged multiple protests since last year and called for PM Hasina to step down. They have also demanded that the country hold general elections under a caretaker government.

Senior police official Rawshanul Huq Saikat said that around a thousand BNP supporters rallied outside party headquarters in Dhaka after the Rahmans' sentencing.

BNP’s demand to hold the next election, due in January 2024, by a neutral caretaker government has since been rejected by the incumbent government.&nbsp;

“BNP’s one-point demand is the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh....This can only be achieved through a free and fair election, which is not possible under the current regime,” senior BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan told Reuters.

He added, “This government must resign and make way for a free and fair election under an interim government, only through that we can restore a people's government in Bangladesh.”&nbsp;

Western governments have voiced concern over the political climate in Bangladesh, where the ruling party dominates the legislature and runs it virtually as a rubber stamp.

Tarique Rahman, who is based in London since the year 2008, had already been sentenced to life imprisonment in the year 2018 for his involvement in a 2004 grenade attack that claimed the lives of more than 20 people during a political rally for then-opposition leader Hasina. Rahman's mother Khaleda Zia was premier at the time.

Two-time former premier Zia is under effective house arrest after she was sentenced to 17 years in jail in two separate graft cases in 2018.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A Bangladesh court sentenced the country's exiled opposition leader and his wife in absentia over corruption charges on Wednesday, the news agency AFP reported citing lawyers.

A Bangladesh court sentenced the country's exiled opposition leader and his wife in absentia over corruption charges on Wednesday, the news agency AFP reported citing lawyers. After the court's verdict, thousands of supporters of the Bangladeshi leader took to the streets to stage demonstrations calling the trial politically motivated. 55-year-old Tarique Rahman, who is the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sentenced to nine years in prison on Wednesday and his wife Zubaida Rahman, was handed a three-year sentence, Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Khushid Alam Khan told news agency AFP. "He was sentenced to nine years in jail for concealing income and accumulating wealth disproportionate to his income, and his wife was sentenced to three years in jail for abetting her husband," Khan said. BNP lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder called the sentence "100 per cent politically motivated", saying the case was meant to keep Tarique Rahman "off from politics ahead of the December-January general election". Also read: India confirms PM Modi's in-person attendance at BRICS summit in South Africa What are the protesters demanding? The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have staged multiple protests since last year and called for PM Hasina to step down. They have also demanded that the country hold general elections under a caretaker government. Senior police official Rawshanul Huq Saikat said that around a thousand BNP supporters rallied outside party headquarters in Dhaka after the Rahmans' sentencing. BNP’s demand to hold the next election, due in January 2024, by a neutral caretaker government has since been rejected by the incumbent government. “BNP’s one-point demand is the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh....This can only be achieved through a free and fair election, which is not possible under the current regime,” senior BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan told Reuters. He added, “This government must resign and make way for a free and fair election under an interim government, only through that we can restore a people's government in Bangladesh.” Western governments have voiced concern over the political climate in Bangladesh, where the ruling party dominates the legislature and runs it virtually as a rubber stamp. Tarique Rahman, who is based in London since the year 2008, had already been sentenced to life imprisonment in the year 2018 for his involvement in a 2004 grenade attack that claimed the lives of more than 20 people during a political rally for then-opposition leader Hasina. Rahman's mother Khaleda Zia was premier at the time. Two-time former premier Zia is under effective house arrest after she was sentenced to 17 years in jail in two separate graft cases in 2018. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tarique Rahman: Bangladesh's exiled opposition leader sentenced in absentia for graft

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-opposition-boycotts-swearing-in-amid-calls-to-probe-vote-rigging-188025">Bangladesh's opposition </a>demanded fresh elections on Wednesday as parliament convened for the first time since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stormed to power in a disputed poll her rivals say was rigged.

Police said several hundred demonstrators gathered in the capital Dhaka to protest against Hasina and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/weakened-bangladesh-opposition-hopes-for-change-in-sundays-election-186930">her crushing victory </a>in late December, which reduced the beleaguered opposition to just eight seats.

Hasina won a third-straight term and her Awami League secured 96 per cent of the vote in an election her critics and international observers say was plagued by irregularities.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies said they would boycott parliament and vowed huge demonstrations unless fresh polls were held within six months.

"We have demanded the resignation of the government and the dissolution of the parliament, which was not elected by the people," a senior party official, Moudud Ahmed, told AFP.

"It was a stolen election. It was heavily rigged."

The December 30 election was marred by violence, the mass arrest of opposition activists and claims of ballot stuffing and voter intimidation.

Corruption watchdog Transparency International found voting irregularities occurred in 47 out of 50 electorates surveyed in an investigation into the poll.

The European Union — the number-one destination for Bangladeshi exports — has called for an inquiry into the elections, saying "significant obstacles to a level playing field... tainted the electoral campaign and the vote."

The United States too expressed concern about "credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence" while the United Nations raised indications of "reprisals" against the opposition since the election.

The accusations have been denied by Hasina and the election commission, which oversaw the poll in the South Asian nation of 165 million.

Hasina, 71, has presided over record economic growth in Bangladesh but critics say her rule has been marked by creeping authoritarianism.

Hasina has been accused of orchestrating mass arrests and wielding draconian free speech laws to silence critics and cling to power. Her chief rival, Khaleda Zia, is behind bars on charges her supporters say are politically motivated.&nbsp;

Bangladesh's opposition demanded fresh elections on Wednesday as parliament convened for the first time since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stormed to power in a disputed poll her rivals say was rigged.

Bangladesh's opposition demanded fresh elections on Wednesday as parliament convened for the first time since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stormed to power in a disputed poll her rivals say was rigged. Police said several hundred demonstrators gathered in the capital Dhaka to protest against Hasina and her crushing victory in late December, which reduced the beleaguered opposition to just eight seats. Hasina won a third-straight term and her Awami League secured 96 per cent of the vote in an election her critics and international observers say was plagued by irregularities. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies said they would boycott parliament and vowed huge demonstrations unless fresh polls were held within six months. "We have demanded the resignation of the government and the dissolution of the parliament, which was not elected by the people," a senior party official, Moudud Ahmed, told AFP. "It was a stolen election. It was heavily rigged." The December 30 election was marred by violence, the mass arrest of opposition activists and claims of ballot stuffing and voter intimidation. Corruption watchdog Transparency International found voting irregularities occurred in 47 out of 50 electorates surveyed in an investigation into the poll. The European Union — the number-one destination for Bangladeshi exports — has called for an inquiry into the elections, saying "significant obstacles to a level playing field... tainted the electoral campaign and the vote." The United States too expressed concern about "credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence" while the United Nations raised indications of "reprisals" against the opposition since the election. The accusations have been denied by Hasina and the election commission, which oversaw the poll in the South Asian nation of 165 million. Hasina, 71, has presided over record economic growth in Bangladesh but critics say her rule has been marked by creeping authoritarianism. Hasina has been accused of orchestrating mass arrests and wielding draconian free speech laws to silence critics and cling to power. Her chief rival, Khaleda Zia, is behind bars on charges her supporters say are politically motivated.

Bangladesh opposition demands fresh polls as parliament convenes

Embattled Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia was granted bail today after she appeared in court on a string of new charges over a deadly transport blockade, a prosecutor said. 
 
Hundreds of her supporters gathered outside the metropolitan sessions court in Dhaka chanting anti-government slogans, as the 70-year-old arrived to seek bail in the nine cases.&nbsp;&quot;We opposed the bail saying that police have found her involvement in the nine cases. But the judge granted her bail in all the cases,&quot; Dhaka&#39;s chief prosecutor Abdullah Abu told AFP.&nbsp;&quot;Although she was granted bail, the court has taken cognisance of all the charges against her,&quot; he added. 
 
The new charges take to 30 the number of cases against the former two-time prime minister, mostly related to alleged violence and graft, her lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder said.&nbsp;Her party says the cases have been fabricated and are aimed at keeping Zia, a bitter rival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under political pressure. 
 
Eight of the new cases relate to the nationwide transport blockade last year orchestrated by Zia&#39;s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies in a failed bid to force Hasina to resign.&nbsp;The blockade unleashed a wave of bloody violence, leaving about 150 people dead as opposition activists fire-bombed hundreds of buses and trucks and police responded by firing live rounds. 
 
A pro-government lawyer has also filed a new case of sedition against Zia for publically questioning the official death toll during Bangladesh&#39;s war of independence against Pakistan in 1971.&nbsp;The government says three million people were killed when then East Pakistan broke away to become Bangladesh. Independent researchers, however, say the overall toll was much lower. 
 
Hasina has vowed to prosecute BNP officials for last year&#39;s violence. Around 15,000 opposition supporters and dozens of senior BNP officials were arrested as part of a crackdown in the wake of the unrest, weakening the party.&nbsp;Last month, a court sentenced Zia&#39;s eldest son and heir apparent Tarique Rahman to seven years in jail after convicting him over a money laundering case. 
 
Rahman, who lives in exile in London, will be automatically banned from contesting polls unless he surrenders to a Bangladeshi court.&nbsp;Experts said Hasina could call a general election in 2017, two years ahead of schedule, if Zia is convicted in any of the cases and therefore barred from politics. Two of her graft cases are in the final stages of hearing. 
 
The BNP boycotted the 2014 general election, leaving the field clear for its rivals. 
 
(AFP)

Khaleda Zia's party says the 30 cases against her have been fabricated, and are aimed at keeping her under political pressure

Embattled Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia was granted bail today after she appeared in court on a string of new charges over a deadly transport blockade, a prosecutor said. Hundreds of her supporters gathered outside the metropolitan sessions court in Dhaka chanting anti-government slogans, as the 70-year-old arrived to seek bail in the nine cases. "We opposed the bail saying that police have found her involvement in the nine cases. But the judge granted her bail in all the cases," Dhaka's chief prosecutor Abdullah Abu told AFP. "Although she was granted bail, the court has taken cognisance of all the charges against her," he added. The new charges take to 30 the number of cases against the former two-time prime minister, mostly related to alleged violence and graft, her lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder said. Her party says the cases have been fabricated and are aimed at keeping Zia, a bitter rival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under political pressure. Eight of the new cases relate to the nationwide transport blockade last year orchestrated by Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies in a failed bid to force Hasina to resign. The blockade unleashed a wave of bloody violence, leaving about 150 people dead as opposition activists fire-bombed hundreds of buses and trucks and police responded by firing live rounds. A pro-government lawyer has also filed a new case of sedition against Zia for publically questioning the official death toll during Bangladesh's war of independence against Pakistan in 1971. The government says three million people were killed when then East Pakistan broke away to become Bangladesh. Independent researchers, however, say the overall toll was much lower. Hasina has vowed to prosecute BNP officials for last year's violence. Around 15,000 opposition supporters and dozens of senior BNP officials were arrested as part of a crackdown in the wake of the unrest, weakening the party. Last month, a court sentenced Zia's eldest son and heir apparent Tarique Rahman to seven years in jail after convicting him over a money laundering case. Rahman, who lives in exile in London, will be automatically banned from contesting polls unless he surrenders to a Bangladeshi court. Experts said Hasina could call a general election in 2017, two years ahead of schedule, if Zia is convicted in any of the cases and therefore barred from politics. Two of her graft cases are in the final stages of hearing. The BNP boycotted the 2014 general election, leaving the field clear for its rivals. (AFP)