Bangladesh's toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed, has issued a chilling warning that his mother will likely be sentenced to death by a special tribunal for her alleged role in the 2024 crackdown on protesters. However, he claims that she remains safe and secure in exile in India.
Wazed made these comments to Reuters just one day before the Dhaka court was set to deliver its verdict against Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity. The former leader has denied any wrongdoing and claims that the proceedings are politically motivated.
The threats by Wazed have added fuel to the fire, as tensions continue to escalate in Bangladesh ahead of next year's election. Violence has gripped the capital, with a wave of bombings and arson attacks reported in recent days. Dozens of buses have been torched, and authorities have detained Awami League activists over alleged sabotage.
Wazed stated that supporters of the ruling party will block elections unless the ban on their party is lifted. He claimed that "we will not allow elections without the Awami League to go ahead," and warned that protests will become increasingly violent unless international pressure is applied.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, had suspended the party's registration in May and banned its political activities, citing national security threats and war crimes investigations into senior leaders. A government spokesperson rejected Wazed's warnings, calling them "irresponsible and reprehensible."
This comes as Bangladesh faces growing concerns about human rights abuses under the new government. A report by Bangladeshi rights group Odhikar documented at least 40 extrajudicial killings between August 2024 and September 2025, despite promises to end state violence.
Sheikh Hasina remains a lightning rod in Bangladeshi politics, with Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, stating that she can deliver an online speech and trigger violent reactions. The violence is likely to continue unless the international community intervenes, Wazed warned.
The situation in Bangladesh continues to deteriorate, with the country facing a perfect storm of politics, violence, and human rights concerns.
Wazed made these comments to Reuters just one day before the Dhaka court was set to deliver its verdict against Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity. The former leader has denied any wrongdoing and claims that the proceedings are politically motivated.
The threats by Wazed have added fuel to the fire, as tensions continue to escalate in Bangladesh ahead of next year's election. Violence has gripped the capital, with a wave of bombings and arson attacks reported in recent days. Dozens of buses have been torched, and authorities have detained Awami League activists over alleged sabotage.
Wazed stated that supporters of the ruling party will block elections unless the ban on their party is lifted. He claimed that "we will not allow elections without the Awami League to go ahead," and warned that protests will become increasingly violent unless international pressure is applied.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, had suspended the party's registration in May and banned its political activities, citing national security threats and war crimes investigations into senior leaders. A government spokesperson rejected Wazed's warnings, calling them "irresponsible and reprehensible."
This comes as Bangladesh faces growing concerns about human rights abuses under the new government. A report by Bangladeshi rights group Odhikar documented at least 40 extrajudicial killings between August 2024 and September 2025, despite promises to end state violence.
Sheikh Hasina remains a lightning rod in Bangladeshi politics, with Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, stating that she can deliver an online speech and trigger violent reactions. The violence is likely to continue unless the international community intervenes, Wazed warned.
The situation in Bangladesh continues to deteriorate, with the country facing a perfect storm of politics, violence, and human rights concerns.