Dhaka, May 11 (UNI) The Advisory Council of the Bangladesh Interim Government has decided to ban all activities of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party, under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act until the trial of the ousted party and its leaders is completed at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The decision was made at a special meeting of the council following three days of demonstrations by the government's political allies such as the BNP, BJI, and the NCP and Islamic parties, demanding a ban on the Awami League and its trial for alleged atrocities during the July-uprising last year, reported the Dhaka Tribune.
A formal statement was given by the interim government on Saturday banning the party, stating that the ban on the Awami League has been enacted in order to protect the country’s security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of the July Movement’s leaders and activists, and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal.