Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Faces Murder Charges Amid Political Turmoil

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's troubles are not going away. A murder case has been registered against her and six others in Bangladesh over the death of a grocery shop owner during last month's violent clashes. Sheikh Hasina is currently in a safe house in Ghaziabad.

According to a report in the 'Dhaka Tribune' newspaper, the case has been filed by a well-wisher of grocery shop owner Abu Sayeed.

Abu Sayeed was killed in police firing during a procession in support of the quota reform movement in Mohammadpur on July 19. Other accused include Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.

The Sheikh Hasina government fell on August 5 after violent protests that continued for the past few weeks. The death toll due to protests across the country has so far exceeded 560.

Following the collapse of the Hasina-led government, an interim government was formed and its chief adviser, 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

On Monday, seven political parties, including the Awami League's arch-rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), met Yunus separately and said the interim government could take the time needed to create a conducive environment for holding free and fair elections, according to The Daily Star newspaper.

After Sheikh Hasina's ouster, 79-year-old former prime minister Khaleda Zia was released from jail. She was sentenced to 17 years in prison on corruption charges in 2018.