Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday accused the government of mass arrests and human rights violations. She claimed 5,000-7,000 people get arrested daily. Hasina said, "Today's Bangladesh is a country of mass arrests, mass searches, torture, false cases, extrajudicial killings and human rights violations." She also criticised rising economic hardships.
Former Bangladesh PM alleges a crackdown on Awami League and criticises economic hardships
Sheikh Hasina accused Bangladesh's government of mass arrests and rights violations, claiming 5,000-7,000 daily arrests
She alleged a crackdown on the Awami League and criticised economic hardships
Living in India since 2024, Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in 2025 as Bangladesh seeks her extradition
Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday accused the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of suppressing political opponents through mass arrests, searches and alleged human rights violations.
In a statement shared on social media by the Bangladesh Awami League, Hasina alleged that the country was witnessing widespread arrests, torture, false cases and extrajudicial killings.
"Today's Bangladesh is a country of mass arrests, mass searches, torture, false cases, extrajudicial killings and human rights violations," she said, alleging that law enforcement agencies were carrying out raids in several parts of the country, including Gopalganj.
Hasina also claimed that between 5,000 and 7,000 people were being arrested daily, though the figure was not independently verified. She called on the authorities to guarantee citizens their fundamental rights and legal protections.
.'I may be killed, but I will return': Sheikh Hasina. Accusing the government of targeting her party, the Awami League, Hasina alleged that the administration had launched a campaign to eliminate the party from Bangladesh.
"The government that came to power through a rigged election has clearly embarked on a mission to eliminate the Awami League from the country," she said.
Her allegations come amid continuing political tensions following her removal from office in August 2024. Hasina also criticised the government's handling of the economy, citing alleged shortages of gas, electricity, fuel and fertilisers, rising prices, unemployment, factory closures and sluggish investment.
The claims in her statement could not be independently verified.
Hasina was removed from power on 5 August 2024, following a wave of student-led protests and violent unrest in Bangladesh. She fled to India, where she has remained since her ouster.
Following her departure, an interim administration took charge and disbanded the Awami League through an executive order under anti-terrorism legislation.
In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia after convicting her of crimes against humanity over her role in the deadly crackdown on the 2024 protests. Hasina has rejected the charges, describing them as politically motivated.
Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina's extradition from India to face the legal proceedings against her.
New Delhi has acknowledged Dhaka's request and said it is under consideration through established legal and judicial processes.
Hasina's latest allegations add to the political tensions between her supporters and the current administration, as questions over accountability for the 2024 violence, the future of the Awami League and the protection of political rights continue to shape Bangladesh's political landscape.