Bangladesh has urged all media outlets not to broadcast or publish any statements by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The former Bangladesh PM is set to address a press conference on Wednesday evening.
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Bangladesh's Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued the appeal on Tuesday, urging some media organisations were continuing to air or publish Hasina's remarks despite her conviction.
In the statement quoted by BDNews24, the ministry said: "To uphold the core spirit of the July movement and maintain legal obligations, the government once again requests all forms of media -- including television, newspapers, online portals, and social media – to refrain from broadcasting or publishing any statements or speeches by the ousted premier."
The ministry said the request was based on restrictions imposed by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which bars the publication or broadcast of statements made by convicted individuals and fugitives. Hasina, who is currently living in India, has been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and remains a fugitive under Bangladeshi law, according to the ministry's statement, BDNews reported.
The advisory came hours after Prime Minister's Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman urged media organisations to comply with court orders relating to the broadcast of Hasina's statements, BDNews24 reported.
The warning coincides with reports that Hasina is due to deliver a virtual address on Wednesday evening at an event organised by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi. The event marks the second anniversary of the fall of the Awami League government during the July Uprising.
The 78-year-old former prime minister has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka on August 5, 2024, following the collapse of her government after widespread anti-government protests. Although she has given several email interviews in recent months, Wednesday's event will be her first live interaction with the media.
Hasina has previously announced plans to return to Bangladesh by the end of this year and is expected to elaborate on those plans during the press conference. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, along with several Awami League leaders, including Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and former Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, are also expected to participate.
Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said earlier this week that Hasina's political activities from Indian territory could adversely affect relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Last November, Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Dhaka over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the government's crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. Since then, Bangladesh has repeatedly urged India to extradite her to face trial.
