In a major crackdown on supporters of Donald Trump, several people were arrested on Sunday in Bangladesh after protesting with placards featuring Trump, allegedly on the orders of ousted former leader Sheikh Hasina. Police accused the protesters of attempting to damage diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the United States.
Ten protesters were arrested in Bangladesh, accused by police of attempting to destabilise the country and labelled as ‘conspirators’, as reported by Al Arabiya.
“We are assessing their crimes in order to file charges,” Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesman Muhammad Talebur Rahman said.
Police reported that an audio recording of Sheikh Hasina, circulating on social media, urged her supporters to protest on Sunday with placards featuring Trump’s photo and US flags. She allegedly instructed them to use the placards as shields and to document any attacks with photos and videos.
“They had been plotting a conspiracy to undermine Bangladesh’s friendly relationship with the United States.”
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Shafiqul Alam Calls Awami League a ‘Fascist Party’
Police stated that the Awami League did not seek permission for the rally, while Yunus' press secretary claimed Hasina's party was prohibited from marching.
Shafiqul Alam, in a statement, condemned the Awami League as a ‘fascist party’ and warned that anyone attempting to hold rallies under Hasina's orders would face the full force of law enforcement.
“The Awami League in its current form is a fascist party. There is no way this fascist party will be allowed to hold protests in Bangladesh,” he said.
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Alam warned that anyone attempting to hold rallies, gatherings, or processions under orders from Sheikh Hasina would face the full force of law enforcement.
The interim government had previously banned the Awami League's student front, Bangladesh Chhatra League, due to allegations of its ‘fascist role’ during and before the ‘Anti-Discrimination Students Movement’.