Dhaka, August 29, 2025 — A Bangladesh court has ordered the detention of16 individuals accused of plotting against the interim government followinga spark-jawed meeting held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), policeofficials confirmed Friday.
Among those remanded was 87-year-old Abdul Latif Siddiqui, a formerminister under ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Police say thedetainees were arrested under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act afterparticipating in the meeting, where they allegedly accused politicalparties of orchestrating a conspiracy to undermine the constitution.Authorities added that the group had been “hatching conspiracies andinciting unrest to destabilise the country and topple the government.”
Eyewitnesses recounted that the venue was incited by a mob who stormed in,heckled the participants, and subsequently handed them over to lawenforcement officials.
Also among those detained was Hafizur Rahman Karzon, a law professor atthe University of Dhaka. While appearing in court, the group arrivedshackled, some wearing helmets and bulletproof vests. Karzon insisted, “Weare victims, not offenders,” while journalist Manjurul Alam raised hisarms in defiance and proclaimed, “These hands have written againstcorruption for years.”
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This development comes amid ongoing upheaval in Bangladesh following astudent-led uprising last year that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule.The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is preparingfor elections anticipated in early 2026. (Al Jazeerawww.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/11/bangladesh-bans-activities-of-awami-league-the-party-of-ousted-pm-hasina?utm”>,AP”>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/10/bangladesh-ousted-sheikh-hasina-charged-with-crimes-against-humanity?utmsource=chatgpt.com>,AP News
