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Bangladesh ex-PM vows to go home | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The former Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has said that she is determined to return home despite warnings that she will be prevented. | |
She told the BBC that "nothing would stop" her from returning to Bangladesh to participate in elections and defend herself against murder charges. | |
The Home Ministry said earlier that her "provocative and inflammatory speeches" might create civil unrest. | |
Officials have been told to stop her entering the country. | |
Exile deal | |
"My duty is to the people of my country and I owe it to them to fight the election and defend myself against fabricated criminal charges," Sheikh Hasina told the BBC Bengali service. | |
She said that she would be arriving in London on Thursday with a view to travelling to Dhaka on 23 April. | |
The government says that Sheikh Hasina, who is on holiday in the US, was responsible for recent street protests that led to a state of emergency. | The government says that Sheikh Hasina, who is on holiday in the US, was responsible for recent street protests that led to a state of emergency. |
Another former PM, Khaleda Zia, has reportedly agreed an exile deal. | Another former PM, Khaleda Zia, has reportedly agreed an exile deal. |
In a statement, the Home Ministry blamed Sheikh Hasina for issuing "inflammatory statements" against the military-backed caretaker administration and law enforcement forces. | In a statement, the Home Ministry blamed Sheikh Hasina for issuing "inflammatory statements" against the military-backed caretaker administration and law enforcement forces. |
Leading ladies hit the buffers Bangladesh at a crossroads | Leading ladies hit the buffers Bangladesh at a crossroads |
The ministry said her return might create "further confusion and hatred" among the public. | The ministry said her return might create "further confusion and hatred" among the public. |
"In the recent past, the civil discipline, security and economy were at stake due to irresponsible and non-stop political agitation and activities led by her party, the Awami League, and other political parties," the statement said. | "In the recent past, the civil discipline, security and economy were at stake due to irresponsible and non-stop political agitation and activities led by her party, the Awami League, and other political parties," the statement said. |
"And due to this, a state of emergency has to be declared." | "And due to this, a state of emergency has to be declared." |
The statement said there was "apprehension" that she might jeopardise law and order, and create political instability, endangering public safety and economic life. | The statement said there was "apprehension" that she might jeopardise law and order, and create political instability, endangering public safety and economic life. |
"For public safety, the government has issued a special security alert about Sheikh Hasina's return to the country. This arrangement is temporary." | "For public safety, the government has issued a special security alert about Sheikh Hasina's return to the country. This arrangement is temporary." |
The authorities have placed the police, immigration, air, land and port authorities on alert following their decision. | The authorities have placed the police, immigration, air, land and port authorities on alert following their decision. |
Sheikh Hasina has been accused of murder and extortion by the military-backed caretaker government. | |
'Clear conscience' | 'Clear conscience' |
She has insisted that it has always been her intention to return home to defend herself against what she described earlier this week as "false and fake cases". | |
Khaleda Zia may go into exile in Saudi Arabia | Khaleda Zia may go into exile in Saudi Arabia |
Sheikh Hasina said on Tuesday that she did not fear detention or physical harm. | |
"They can do whatever they like, but I know my conscience is clear, I haven't done anything wrong, and I haven't committed any crimes," she said. | "They can do whatever they like, but I know my conscience is clear, I haven't done anything wrong, and I haven't committed any crimes," she said. |
"They filed cases and more cases maybe just to punish me." | "They filed cases and more cases maybe just to punish me." |
It was also reported on Tuesday that another former Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, had agreed to go into exile in Saudi Arabia with her family. | |
"She will be leaving the country for Saudi Arabia in a couple of days. Initially she will be leaving with a one-month visa to perform Umrah [a minor pilgrimage to Mecca] and her permanent residence there will be finalised upon reaching the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Daily Star reported, citing a senior government source. | "She will be leaving the country for Saudi Arabia in a couple of days. Initially she will be leaving with a one-month visa to perform Umrah [a minor pilgrimage to Mecca] and her permanent residence there will be finalised upon reaching the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Daily Star reported, citing a senior government source. |
"Everything has been finalised... now only the formalities, including getting a visa, remain to be completed," it said. | "Everything has been finalised... now only the formalities, including getting a visa, remain to be completed," it said. |
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