Bangladesh

Ten thousand detained in a week

Article published on the 2008-06-04 Latest update 2008-06-04 10:15 TU

Sheikh Hasina Wajeed of the Aawami League, says the arrests are politically motivated
(Photo: AFP)

At least 10,000 people have been detained this week in Bangladesh in an operation that police say is a crackdown on crime. The country’s police Chief, Nur Mohammad, said that more than 1,700 people had been detained over the past 24 hours and that the operation, which began on 28 May, will last a month. The country's main political parties claim that their members are being targeted at the behest of the military-backed emergency government.

 

The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party were sidelined during last year's military-backed takeover, which led to the creation of the current government. They accuse the government of targeting their members and supporters in the roundups.

Elections are scheduled at the end of the year.

Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed, who is in detention, declared through her lawyer that the arrests  will "jeopardise" the poll.

"Arrests and repression will put the government in a confrontation against the people, she said.

Police Chief Mohammad denied there is political motivation behind the arrests.

"We are arresting only those against whom there are specific allegations, cases or warrants,” he said. “Many of them are smugglers and owners of illegal arms.”

The arrest operation began a day after the Awami League said it would not join talks with the government on planning the elections unless Hasina was released from detention.