Asif alleges exiled AL men plotting to kill interim members

Staff Reporter :

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul on Tuesday alleged that senior leaders of the Awami League who are currently abroad are issuing directives to assassinate members of the interim government and individuals involved in the July mass uprising.

He made the allegation while speaking to journalists after a meeting with a Commonwealth delegation visiting Dhaka to observe preparations for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. The meeting was held at the conference room of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

According to Asif Nazrul, members of the delegation raised questions about making the upcoming election more inclusive. In response, he said no political force could be compelled to take part in the electoral process.

“It is not possible to forcibly include anyone in the election,” he said, adding that there was no visible willingness among Awami League leaders or activists to participate in the polls. Instead, he alleged, party leaders based abroad were issuing instructions to kill those who led the July uprising and members of the interim administration.

He further said legal proceedings were already underway against senior Awami League figures accused of involvement in killings during the July violence. He claimed that the party’s top leader had received a death sentence in connection with those events.

Despite the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing trials, Asif Nazrul said no senior Awami League leader had expressed remorse or issued a statement condemning the killings that took place during that period.

Addressing concerns about voter participation, particularly among women, the adviser said there was no nationwide atmosphere of fear that could deter female voters from casting their ballots.

While acknowledging that some isolated incidents had occurred, he said they were unlikely to affect women’s participation in the election.

On the contrary, he expressed optimism that female voter turnout would be higher than in previous elections.

Asif Nazrul also drew a contrast with the past, saying that during earlier administrations a significant number of women who wore hijab or burqa had faced harassment and various forms of repression.

In the current political context, he said, many of those women were expected to come forward eagerly to vote.

Concluding his remarks, the adviser said greater participation of women in Bangladesh’s political and public life was essential, and urged political parties to play a more responsible and proactive role in ensuring that inclusion.