Bangladesh interim government chief adviser鈥檚 press secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday warned that anyone attempting to defy the government鈥檚 ban on Awami League activities 鈥� including meetings or processions 鈥� will face stern legal action.
He said the law would be applied 鈥榮trictly and without exception,鈥� and that law enforcement agencies had been directed to enforce the ban firmly.
鈥楢nyone inspired by an ousted leader accused of serious crimes who attempts rallies or gatherings will be brought under the law. No one will be spared,鈥� Shafiqul Alam told a press briefing at the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
His remarks came in response to questions about statements posted by ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on social media, including reports that her party announced a 鈥榣ockdown鈥� of activities via Facebook on 13 November.
The press secretary reaffirmed that the ban on all Awami League activities, as well as prosecutions under the ICT Act, remains in force.
The press secretary said that Sheikh Hasina, against whom there are allegations of killing several hundred young men and women 鈥� referred to as the 鈥淏utcher of Bengal鈥� 鈥� is being closely monitored, and that whatever she is doing or instructing is under the authorities鈥� surveillance.
Shafiqul Alam further said that Hasina has been making frequent social media statements and attempting to portray participants of the Uprising Movement, which drew millions of young people, as 鈥榯errorists.鈥�
He said the issue was discussed during the chief adviser鈥檚 conversation with the Indian prime minister and continues to draw international attention.
The press secretary added that trials against Hasina are under way, and once verdicts are announced, the Foreign Ministry will again raise the matter with India.
He also said that the government had already submitted letters to India requesting Hasina鈥檚 extradition and added that clear evidence of her crimes was documented in UN reports.
