Bangladesh: Nationwide protests demanding release of Zia April 3 /update 15

Event

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced that it will stage nationwide protests demanding the release of Khaleda Zia on Tuesday, April 3. The decision comes after the BNP was reportedly denied police permission to hold a related protest at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan memorial on Wednesday, March 29. BNP demonstrations are expected in major cities on Tuesday, including near BNP headquarters in the Naya Paltan neighborhood in Dhaka. Additional related protests are expected to be held in Barisal on Saturday, April 7, and in Sylhet on Wednesday, April 10. Heightened security measures and localized transportation disruptions are expected around protests.

Context

The rally is being organized to demand that former Prime Minister and current chairperson of the BNP Khaleda Zia be released from prison. Khaleda Zia was convicted of corruption at a special court in Dhaka on February 8 and sentenced to five years in jail. Multiple BNP-led demonstrations have erupted across the country in recent weeks demanding Zia's release as well as free and fair elections.

Zia has often said political vendettas under the current government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have motivated the case against her, as well as cases against her sons. She could be barred from participating in the general elections slated for December 2018 if her ongoing appeal is unsuccessful or if she remains held on additional charges.

Advice

Individuals present in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka, are advised to monitor the situation, exercise caution, and avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings due to the possibility of violence.