Sajeeb Wazed, son and longtime adviser of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has issued a stark warning ahead of her impending court verdict: if the ban on the Awami League is not lifted, his supporters could trigger widespread unrest. The comments come at a volatile moment for Bangladesh’s politics, as the legal battle over Hasina’s future intensifies.Ad
According to reporting by Reuters, Wazed made these remarks on the eve of a televised court decision expected to convict Hasina, now 78, in absentia on serious charges. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, suspended the Awami League’s political activities earlier this year, citing national security concerns. Reuters
Wazed, speaking from Washington, D.C., said his mother is being treated “like a head of state” in her Indian exile, but expressed deep fear about what might happen after the court’s decision. He predicted that the tribunal will find her guilty and may even sentence her to death — a projection that has raised tensions further. Al Jazeera
“The verdict is going to be against her; they’re going to convict her,” Wazed told Reuters. “They’ll probably sentence her to death. What they do to my mother, she is safe in India — but the country may not be.” Reuters
He added a political threat: unless the ban on the Awami League is revoked, his supporters will block the next national election, scheduled for February. “We will not allow elections without the Awami League to go ahead … Our protests are going to get stronger and stronger, and we will do whatever it takes,” he said.
According to several media outlets, including Al Jazeera, multiple crude bombs have already exploded in Dhaka in recent days — with over 30 blasts reported — as supporters of Hasina’s party mobilize ahead of the court verdict. Authorities have responded by deploying over 400 Border Guards and imposing strict crowd controls near sensitive zones to contain the unrest risk. Khaleej Times
The interim government has strongly rejected Wazed’s warnings. A spokesperson described his threat as “deeply irresponsible and reprehensible,” especially coming from someone who is said to be inciting violence from abroad.
This showdown reflects deeper political rifts in Bangladesh. Wazed argues that excluding the Awami League from the election would strip the process of legitimacy. He has insisted that only an inclusive vote can bring stability, warning that leaving out his party will fuel division rather than reconciliation.
The stakes could not be higher: an election without the Awami League risks being broadly condemned outside and within Bangladesh, raising questions about democratic legitimacy. Wazed’s call for international intervention further underscores the gravity of the crisis, as the country looks like it may descend into political chaos if the court ruling does not satisfy his party’s demands.
At the heart of this conflict is Hasina herself, accused of crimes against humanity tied to a brutal 2024 crackdown on student-led protests. She denies wrongdoing and sees the trial as a political witch hunt. Pakistan Today
As Dhaka braces for the verdict, sources say that both sides are preparing not just for a court decision — but for a potentially explosive aftermath. Whether Wazed’s threat proves to be a genuine danger or a bold negotiating tactic remains to be seen. But for many in Bangladesh, last week’s bombings and the heavy security buildup are proof that the fragile balance could easily tip.Ad
