Abu Jakir :
A year after her dramatic removal from power, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is facing trial in absentia for crimes against humanity, as intelligence reports allege she is orchestrating violent schemes from exile in Delhi to destabilise Bangladesh ahead of upcoming national elections.
Hasina, 77, stands accused of ordering massacres during last year’s student-led uprising, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths.
The trial’s first week concluded on Friday following testimony from five witnesses. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.
Leaked and independently verified phone recordings reportedly capture Hasina instructing security forces to “use lethal weapons” against protesters, though her aides insist these comments have been “misinterpreted.”
From her heavily guarded residence in Delhi, Hasina has allegedly held several meetings with senior Awami League figures to plan a political resurgence. Party insiders reveal she has urged loyalists to regroup, mobilise supporters, and prepare to “fight back” when necessary.
Bahauddin Nasim, former MP and joint general secretary of the Awami League (AL), confirmed meeting Hasina on 31 July with six other senior leaders. “She was confident as a leader and appeared physically and mentally well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that as the Awami League is banned in Bangladesh, authorities are closely monitoring its activities abroad to assess any attempts to foment instability.
Sources further claim these directives extend to banned affiliates, including the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), accused of instigating a “reign of terror” to spread unrest. Investigations suggest recent political killings – from the Mitford murder to the Gazipur journalist attack-bear links to Hasina’s network.
The latest alleged conspiracy involves plans to replicate a “Gazipur-style” attack on five journalists in Feni, coordinated through a WhatsApp group named Ektaai Shakti (“Unity is Strength”). Law enforcement intercepted discussions outlining intentions to assault journalists with machetes or set their homes ablaze.
The targeted journalists include Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, bureau chief of Dainik Feni’r Shomoy and BSS correspondent; Arifur Rahman, reporter at Jamuna TV; Arif Azam, chief reporter of Dainik Feni’r Shomoy; Soleyman Hazarai Dalim, representative of Ekhon TV; and Jahidul Alam Rajon, online reporter for NTV.
Leaked chat screenshots reveal explicit threats. One participant wrote, “We should take the chance to do a media trial like in Gazipur… we can go after Shahadat, Arif Azam, Arif, Rajon – any of them.” Another vowed, “Even if it takes 10 years, we will dig them out.”
Police report that senior BCL leaders, including district president Tofayel Ahmed Topu and general secretary Nur Karim Javed, administer the group. More than 25 members, many fugitives wanted for serious crimes, are said to be involved.
Feni police Chief Mohammad Samsuzzaman confirmed prior intelligence on the plot, assuring that the Cyber Crime Unit is verifying information and that protective measures are in place for the journalists.
The revelations have sparked widespread concern. Veteran journalist AKM Abdur Rahim warned of “deep alarm” within Feni’s media community. Human rights advocate Morshed Hossain described the conspirators as “actively plotting acts of sabotage.”
Journalists’ Union secretary Mizanur Rahman condemned the threats as “a direct assault on media independence” and called for impartial state action, warning that failure to act decisively would embolden future attacks.
This incident follows the recent attack on journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin in Gazipur, which rights groups say highlights the increasing risks faced by reporters amid Bangladesh’s volatile political climate.
