A Dhaka court delivers its verdict on Monday against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, warns violence if the Awami League ban persists. Protests escalate nationwide. Elections loom in February. The interim government stands firm.
Sajeeb Wazed, son of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, issued a direct warning on Sunday. He stated that Awami League supporters would block February’s national election if the party’s ban remains in place. This comes hours before a televised court verdict expected to convict Hasina in absentia on crimes against humanity charges. The case stems from a 2024 protest crackdown that killed up to 1,400 people, per a United Nations report. Wazed spoke from exile in the United States. Hasina resides in New Delhi, India.
The statement heightens tensions in Dhaka and beyond. Police reported 32 explosions on November 12. Several crude bombs detonated on Sunday. Authorities torched dozens of buses. Over 400 Border Guard personnel now reinforce checkpoints. Public gatherings face restrictions. Awami League activists face arrests for alleged sabotage.
Sajeeb Wazed Interview Highlights Hasina Verdict, Violence Risks
In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Sajeeb Wazed detailed the family’s stance. “We will not allow elections without the Awami League to go ahead,” he said. He predicted the verdict would convict Hasina and impose a death sentence. “They’re televising it. They’re going to convict her, and they’ll probably sentence her to death.”
Wazed described Hasina’s mood as “upset, angry, outraged.” The family plans no appeal without a democratically elected government including the Awami League. He emphasised contact with party activists inside Bangladesh but none with the interim administration or the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Wazed tied the warning to escalating protests. “Our protests are going to get stronger and stronger, and we will do whatever it takes,” he noted. “Unless the international community does something, eventually there’s probably going to be violence in Bangladesh before these elections… there’s going to be confrontations.” He highlighted recent shutdowns across the country as signs of growing momentum.
The interview underscores Sajeeb Wazed warns violence as a response to exclusion. Secondary concerns include Hasina son threatens block polls Awami League participation. Awami League protests escalate Bangladesh-wide, with barricades on highways and tyre burnings reported.
Interim Government Rejects Ban Lift, Cites Security
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, dismissed calls to reverse the Awami League ban. A spokesperson stated on Sunday there are no plans to lift it. The suspension occurred in May 2025, citing national security threats and ongoing war crimes probes into party leaders.
“The interim government regards any incitement to violence especially by exiled political figures as deeply irresponsible and reprehensible,” the spokesperson said in an official release. The government prioritises “de-escalation and protection of life and property.” It denied political motivation in Hasina’s trial. “The court functioned transparently, allowing observers and publishing regular documentation.”
No remorse from the Awami League blocks dialogue, per the release. “At present, there is no dialogue space for Awami League as it continues to refuse to express any remorse for crimes against humanity committed under its rule and to accept the accountability process, including under the International Crimes Tribunal.”
Data from the government shows heightened security measures. Over 400 Border Guards deploy in Dhaka. Checkpoints expanded on major routes. Police detained dozens of Awami League members since November 12 for sabotage links. The release warns against disruptions to the February election timeline.
Awami League Protests Escalate Amid Ban Tensions
Awami League protests escalate Bangladesh preparations for the verdict. The party called a nationwide lockdown on November 13. Supporters blocked the Dhaka-Khulna expressway with burning tyres. Processions clashed with counter-protesters in several districts. Jamaat-e-Islami activists rallied against the lockdown.
Violence surged post-call. On November 14 and 15, demonstrations turned chaotic. Nationwide shutdowns planned for November 16 and 17 aim to pressure Yunus’s resignation. Awami League leaders label the tribunal a “kangaroo court.” They demand its dissolution.
Official data logs 32 blasts on November 12 alone. Sunday saw additional explosions in Dhaka. Buses torched numbered dozens. Police operations targeted party offices. Arrests rose by 50 since the lockdown announcement, per government figures.
Sajeeb Wazed interview Hasina verdict violence ties into this wave. Hasina son threatens block polls Awami League exclusion as the core grievance. The party views the ban as a bar to free elections.
Stakes for South Asia’s Stability
This crisis matters across South Asia. Bangladesh’s political turmoil risks spillover into India and beyond. Hasina’s exile in New Delhi strains bilateral ties. India provides her security, treating her “like a head of state,” per Wazed. Economic disruptions from protests could hit regional trade. The February election tests democracy post-2024 uprising. Exclusion of a major party like Awami League invites instability. South Asian nations watch for refugee flows or border tensions. A violent escalation could derail Yunus’s reforms and fuel extremism.
Background
Sheikh Hasina ruled Bangladesh for 15 years until August 2024. Student-led protests then ousted her government. Up to 1,400 died in the crackdown, mostly from security forces’ gunfire, says the UN. Hasina fled to India. Yunus’s interim setup followed.
The Awami League dominated politics since 2009. It transformed the economy but faced rights abuse accusations. The 2024 election saw opposition boycott after leader arrests. Hasina’s family, including Wazed, faces charges from crimes against humanity to corruption. The International Crimes Tribunal charged Hasina in absentia. Prosecutor Tajul Islam sought death penalty last month, calling her the “mastermind.” The tribunal set the verdict for Monday, November 17, 2025.
The May 2025 ban suspended Awami League registration. It halts activities until tribunal conclusions. Senior leaders face probes. Many fled or got arrested. Protests trace to the ban. Initial sit-ins in May demanded permanence. Violence peaked in July 2024 unrest echoes. Awami League calls boycotts if excluded.
What’s Next
The verdict arrives Monday. Expect immediate reactions. Awami League vows intensified protests. Government braces with forces. International observers monitor for fairness. Dialogue chances slim without ban lift. February elections hang in balance. Sajeeb Wazed warns violence persists unless inclusion. Global calls for calm grow from UN and rights groups. Sajeeb Wazed warns violence remains central. Escalation looms without resolution.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 17th, 2025
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