Former Bangladesh President leaves amid political turmoil

Dhaka

Former President Abdul Hamid of Bangladesh has left the country for Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, according to local news. He served two terms as president from 2013 to 2023 under the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina. Hamid’s exit follows political unrest that saw Hasina removed from power in July 2024.

Reports say Hamid, along with Hasina and her family, is facing charges over an attack during a protest in Kishoreganj. The protest was part of a large student movement. Despite this, no court or Anti-Corruption Commission had banned him from traveling. Officials said Hamid is unwell, and that allowed him to leave.

The Dhaka Tribune reported Hamid flew on Thai Airways. He was also previously the Speaker of Parliament from 2009 to 2013. Since the Awami League lost power, many of its leaders have fled Bangladesh. The current interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, took over in August 2024.

The Yunus administration has issued many arrest warrants against Hasina, her family, and Awami League leaders. Political experts believe these actions are part of a campaign to punish the former ruling party.

Earlier this year, from India, Hasina accused the current government of spreading fear and turning Bangladesh into a center for lawlessness. She said her removal was unfair and driven by political revenge. Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, left the country on August 5, 2024, seeking safety in India. Her departure marked a serious moment in Bangladesh’s ongoing political crisis. The situation remains tense as the interim government continues its crackdown.