Thousands gathered on Friday outside the home of Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus, urging him to outlaw the Awami League, the party of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Yunus, 84, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has led the interim administration since Hasina was ousted by massive student-led protests in August 2024. She fled into exile after demonstrators stormed her official residence.
The latest demonstration intensified following the sudden exit of Abdul Hamid, a former Awami League figure, who left the country early Thursday. By Thursday night, crowds—mostly youth—had already begun assembling at Yunus’ residence.
Hasnat Abdullah, head of the newly launched National Citizen’s Party, declared that the protest would continue until their demands were addressed.
“Sheikh Hasina robbed the people of Bangladesh of their democratic rights. She manipulated the system to prevent any real opposition from participating in the election,” said protester Kamrul.
He further warned that the smooth departure of Abdul Hamid raised questions about insider support: “The delay in justice seems to be part of a broader plot to reinstate the fallen dictator and her party.”
Hasina currently remains in self-imposed exile in India and has ignored an arrest warrant issued by Dhaka, where she faces charges of crimes against humanity.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 1,400 people were killed in July during a violent crackdown on dissent by Hasina’s government. Both she and Hamid are under investigation for their roles.
Following Hamid’s exit, three police officers in charge of airport security were dismissed for negligence, officials confirmed.
Although public gatherings near the chief adviser’s residence are typically restricted, student protesters were permitted access. On Friday, the government said it was seriously considering calls from civil society and political parties to ban the Awami League.
A government statement confirmed consultations were underway with various political groups and that UN-documented evidence of atrocities committed by the Awami League was under review.
