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Published : 22 May 2026, 06:36 PM
Police have confirmed the arrests of 26 activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, who were reportedly trying to gather in Dhanmondi to take an “oath” to bring Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh.
The leaders, including several politicians from district and Upazila levels, were arrested during Friday Jummah prayer time in Dhanmondi 32 and adjacent locations, police say.
"They gathered in Dhanmondi 32 and were preparing to launch a flash procession," said Dhanmondi Police chief Muhammad Saiful Islam.
"We are currently verifying the detailed backgrounds of those detained."
He said security and patrolling have been significantly beefed up across Dhanmondi to thwart further political activities by the party.
The arrests come amid a recent interview published by the Hindustan Times, where the ousted prime minister Hasina expressed her intent to return to Bangladesh "soon".
Following the July Uprising, Hasina fled to India on Aug 5, 2024.
In the wake of her departure, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus arrested former ministers, state ministers, leaders of Awami League and its affiliated organisations, lawmakers, and alliance partners.
The remaining senior leadership has either gone into hiding or fled the country.
Hasina, along with several top Awami League leaders, is currently facing trial at the International Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the violent suppression of the July Uprising that removed her from power.
The interim government banned all political activities of the Awami League and its affiliate bodies in May last year.
Despite the restriction, party activists have occasionally managed to bring out flash processions in Dhaka and other parts of the country, followed by police crackdowns and detentions.
