Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina described Muhammad Yunus a 'militant leader' and alleged that he 'sold the country' to the US.

In her audio message posted on Awami League's Facebook page, Hasina, who escaped Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, amid severe protests against her government, said: "My father did not agree to America's demands for St. Martin's Island. He had to give his life for that."

"I never thought about selling the country to stay in power," Hasina said.

Recalling her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's contribution to free Bangladesh in 1971, she said: "It cannot be the intention of a person to sell an inch of the land which was freed after a lot of fighting and sacrifice of several lives."

She alleged that Yunus snatched power in Bangladesh with the help of extremists.

"He came to power with the help of terrorists. Several of them were banned globally," she said.

"We took strong measures in the country after our country witnessed one major terror attack. We protected our nation from these terrorists," she said.

She said Yunus released these terrorists after coming to power.

"Bangladeshi prisons are now empty. They released everyone. Now Bangladesh is the reign of those militants," Hasina, who was the longest-serving PM of Bangladesh, said.

She protested against the banning of her Awami League in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's interim government this month banned Hasina's Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

All activities of the political outfit have been banned until the International Crimes Tribunal completes the trial of the party and its leaders.

July-August Uprising

According to the UN website,  The repression of mass protests in Bangladesh last year that toppled longtime prime minister Sheikh Hasina left as many as 1,400 people dead in just 46 days – the vast majority shot by security forces.

In addition to those killed by the former government’s security and intelligence services alongside Awami League party associates, a report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) into the alleged crimes indicated that thousands were injured, including one youngster who was shot in the hand at point-blank range for throwing stones.

According to the OHCHR report, as many as 12 to 13 per cent of those killed were children. Bangladesh Police also reported that 44 of its officers were killed between 1 July and 15 August 2024.