The International Crimes Tribunal-1 of Bangladesh is set to hold a hearing today on the formation of formal charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq. The case concerns alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution period. The three-member tribunal is chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, with members Shofiul Alam Mahmud and retired district judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

According to tribunal sources, the prosecution will first present its arguments, followed by the defense counsel’s response. The prosecution had earlier submitted formal charges on December 4, marking a key procedural step in the case. Both accused have denied wrongdoing, while human rights observers are closely monitoring the proceedings.

Legal analysts note that this hearing could determine whether the case proceeds to a full trial, potentially setting a precedent for accountability in politically sensitive human rights cases. The tribunal’s decision is expected to draw significant domestic and international attention.

Family members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan staged a sit-in outside Adiala Jail after being denied permission to meet him despite a court order allowing visits twice a week. Khan’s sisters, Aleema, Naureen, and Dr. Uzma Khan, along with senior PTI leaders, gathered near the prison on Tuesday but were informed that the scheduled meeting would not be allowed. Late at night, police used water cannons and batons to disperse the demonstrators, detaining several party workers.

Aleema Khan told reporters that the family had no choice but to protest after repeated denials of access. PTI officials accused jail authorities of violating court directives and restricting legal and family visits without justification. The party condemned the police action, calling it an attempt to silence peaceful dissent.

The confrontation underscores ongoing tensions between PTI and Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies as Khan remains imprisoned. Observers warn that continued restrictions on family and legal access could further inflame political unrest ahead of upcoming elections.

India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to express concern over recent threats targeting the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and inflammatory remarks made by some Bangladeshi political figures. The move follows comments by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah during Bangladesh’s 55th Victory Day celebrations, where he reportedly made statements suggesting separation of India’s northeastern states.

According to Indian media outlet NDTV, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs conveyed its expectation that Bangladesh’s interim administration will take all necessary measures to maintain internal law and order and ensure a peaceful electoral process. The diplomatic démarche underscores India’s sensitivity to cross-border political rhetoric that could strain bilateral relations.

Analysts note that the timing of the summons, amid Bangladesh’s pre-election environment, adds a layer of complexity to Dhaka–Delhi ties. Observers expect both sides to seek de-escalation through diplomatic channels to prevent disruption of ongoing cooperation in trade, connectivity, and regional security.

The political alliance 'July Unity', which claims to uphold the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising, announced a 'March to Indian High Commission' program scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in Dhaka. The rally will begin at Rampura Bridge and is expected to include former military officers, student leaders from Dhaka University and other institutions, and representatives from various political and social groups. The organizers said the march aims to protest alleged conspiracies by Indian proxies and demand the repatriation of individuals accused of crimes during the 2024 events.

According to the group’s statement, India has been providing shelter to those they describe as perpetrators of violence and continues to interfere in Bangladesh’s democratic process. July Unity leaders stated they would issue an ultimatum to both the Indian government and the interim Bangladeshi administration, warning of consequences if their demands are not met. Authorities have heightened security around the Indian High Commission, and the Indian visa center is expected to close early due to safety concerns.

The protest underscores ongoing tensions in Dhaka’s political landscape and the fragile state of Bangladesh-India relations amid accusations of external interference.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has formally accepted charges against retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan for alleged crimes against humanity, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the Awami League government’s tenure. Prosecutor Sheikh Mahdi submitted the charges to the tribunal’s registrar office on Wednesday morning, following Ahsan’s transfer from prison to the court. He is the sole accused in the case.

The prosecution alleges that Ahsan, a former senior army officer, was directly involved in three incidents of serious human rights violations. The tribunal’s move marks a rare instance of a high-ranking retired military official facing such charges. Legal observers note that the case could test the tribunal’s jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed outside the 1971 war context.

If the tribunal proceeds to trial, it may set a precedent for accountability in cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in recent political periods. The defense is expected to contest the admissibility of the charges in upcoming hearings.

A torch procession allegedly organized by the banned Awami League in Shahjahanpur, Bogura, has drawn attention amid the ongoing nationwide Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The event’s video was posted late on December 16 by Sohrab Hossain Channu, former upazila chairman and local Awami League president, on his verified Facebook account. He claimed the march protested against what he called an illegal election schedule and arbitrary arrests.

Local police, however, denied that any such procession took place recently. Shahjahanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Islam stated that after reviewing the video, investigators suspected it might have been recorded earlier and only uploaded now. The timing of the post, during a period of heightened security operations, has raised questions about political messaging and enforcement consistency.

The incident underscores tensions between authorities and banned political groups during the ongoing crackdown. Observers note that such digital postings could complicate law enforcement efforts and fuel further political polarization in the pre-election climate.

Bangladesh has witnessed a wave of public emotion and political reaction following the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha and an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 in the upcoming parliamentary election. Hadi was shot last Friday during a campaign event in Paltan and later transferred to Singapore General Hospital for advanced treatment after his condition worsened.

The attack has sparked protests, prayer gatherings, and widespread condemnation across political and social lines. Thousands joined a unity rally at the Central Shaheed Minar, while mosques and madrasas nationwide offered prayers for Hadi’s recovery. Social media has been flooded with messages of solidarity, with student leaders and cultural figures calling the incident a threat to electoral fairness and candidate safety. Dhaka University and Rajshahi University academics also voiced concern over the growing political violence.

Observers warn that the attack, coming just after the election schedule announcement, raises serious questions about security and the credibility of the upcoming polls. Authorities are under pressure to identify the assailants and ensure protection for all candidates.

India’s opposition parties have warned that the government’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists across nine states and three union territories threatens the country’s democratic integrity. They allege the process could disenfranchise poor and minority voters, particularly Muslims, while consolidating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political power. The issue triggered heated debate in Parliament last week, with opposition leaders accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating electoral rolls under the guise of administrative reform.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed the SIR is part of a broader plan to undermine India’s electoral continuity, likening it to the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam that left millions of Muslims stateless. The BJP, however, insists the revision aims to remove “illegal infiltrators” and protect democratic integrity. Home Minister Amit Shah defended the policy, saying it ensures that only legitimate citizens determine India’s leadership.

Analysts warn the move could deepen communal polarization and strain India’s secular framework ahead of upcoming state elections. Human rights groups have urged transparency and independent oversight of the revision process.

Eight Islamist-oriented political parties, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, are finalizing a single-candidate strategy for each constituency in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Liaison committee leaders from the alliance have been holding multiple rounds of meetings to reach consensus on seat-sharing and candidate selection, guided by agreed principles. Party insiders expect the final list of unified candidates to be announced soon.

The coalition—comprising Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Nezame Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP)—plans to contest under a cooperative framework without forming a formal alliance name. Leaders such as Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader and Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad emphasized that each seat will have one joint nominee, aiming to maximize electoral strength while maintaining discipline under election regulations.

While public campaigning remains suspended due to the election code of conduct, internal preparations and grassroots coordination are ongoing. Analysts note that the seat-sharing outcome will test the coalition’s ability to balance influence among partners and maintain unity ahead of the polls.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday expanded Washington’s travel ban to include citizens from seven additional countries, notably Syria, Laos, and several African states such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. The order also blocks entry for holders of Palestinian Authority passports, marking a significant escalation in Trump’s long-standing campaign to restrict immigration on security grounds. The White House said the move targets individuals deemed potential threats to U.S. institutions or values.

The decision follows the killing of two U.S. soldiers and a civilian in Syria, an event that renewed scrutiny of regional security. Critics view the expansion as politically charged and discriminatory, particularly as Trump has recently intensified rhetoric against African and Muslim-majority nations. Several Western allies, including France and Britain, have expressed concern over the humanitarian and diplomatic fallout.

The new restrictions add to an already extensive list of countries facing full or partial bans. Analysts warn that the policy could strain U.S. relations with African and Middle Eastern partners and complicate refugee resettlement programs previously supported by Washington.

As Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election approaches, political activity in Naogaon district has intensified, with candidates from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and smaller parties campaigning vigorously. However, the BNP faces growing internal strife after announcing its nominees for all six constituencies. Many long-time leaders, denied nominations, have expressed anger and disappointment, leading to factional divisions among grassroots activists and weakening the party’s traditional vote base.

Jamaat-e-Islami, which announced its candidates nearly a year earlier, has gained momentum through consistent field activities, while the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party have also entered the race in several constituencies. Local BNP supporters have staged protests and torch processions demanding candidate changes, creating embarrassment for official nominees. Political observers note that Jamaat is capitalizing on BNP’s internal discord to strengthen its position.

Analysts warn that unless BNP resolves its internal disputes soon, its divided support base could benefit rival parties in key Naogaon seats. The situation underscores broader challenges for the opposition in presenting a unified front against the ruling Awami League.

A newly released report by Bangladesh’s National Independent Investigation Commission has reignited debate over the 2009 BDR mutiny, asserting that the massacre of army officers at Pilkhana might have been averted if the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) had acted promptly. The report, submitted on November 30 to the Chief Adviser, claims RAB’s forward units were ready to intervene but were denied permission to enter or open fire.

According to the findings, then RAB Director General Hasan Mahmud Khandker and Additional DG Major General Rezanur Khan withheld authorization, despite early opportunities to neutralize the mutiny. Rezanur later blamed senior security officials Major General Tarique Siddique and Major General Zainul Abedin for the delay. The commission also criticized police and RAB officers for remaining passive, allowing mutineers to escape and failing to protect victims.

The report’s revelations have renewed scrutiny of command decisions and coordination failures during one of Bangladesh’s deadliest security crises. Analysts expect calls for accountability and possible legal review of the implicated officials’ actions.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus declared that all attempts by defeated fascist and terrorist forces to destabilize the nation will fail. In a Victory Day address to the nation, he emphasized that no one can halt the country’s democratic progress through fear or violence. He urged citizens to remain calm, avoid rumors, and unite against those seeking unrest. Yunus also expressed deep concern over the attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, calling it an assault on Bangladesh’s democratic journey.

Yunus outlined three national priorities: justice for the July–August killings, structural reforms for accountability, and a free, fair, and participatory election. He confirmed that the general election and referendum will be held on 12 February 2026, with full government support for the Election Commission. He called on all political parties to treat each other as competitors, not enemies, and to ensure a peaceful electoral environment.

The Chief Adviser also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Khaleda Zia’s medical care and the ongoing legal process against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stressing that justice and democratic renewal remain central to the nation’s future.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has requested party members in the United Kingdom not to gather at London’s airport when he departs for Bangladesh on December 25. Speaking at a Victory Day discussion organized by UK BNP on December 16, Rahman said he would return home after nearly 18 years abroad and urged supporters to maintain discipline and avoid any commotion.

He emphasized that large crowds at the airport could create disorder and harm the image of both Bangladesh and the BNP. Rahman noted that those who respect his request would be honoring the party’s and the nation’s dignity, while those who disregard it would be acting out of personal interest. His remarks come as BNP supporters prepare for his long-awaited return amid heightened political attention.

Rahman’s return is expected to have significant political implications for the opposition party, which has been operating under his remote leadership from London. Observers anticipate increased political activity in Bangladesh following his arrival.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called on party members to remain united as the party prepares for what he described as a challenging period ahead. Speaking at a meeting in London on December 17, Rahman expressed optimism that the BNP could form the next government through popular vote if it stays cohesive and focused on its plans.

Rahman announced his intention to return to Bangladesh on December 25 after nearly 18 years abroad, a move that has stirred significant discussion within political circles. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir recently confirmed the date, underscoring the party’s preparations for his homecoming. Rahman acknowledged the difficulties ahead, urging members to adopt practical strategies rather than relying on rhetoric.

Analysts view Rahman’s return as a pivotal moment for the BNP, which has struggled with leadership challenges and organizational setbacks. His arrival could reshape the opposition’s strategy ahead of the next national election, though questions remain about legal and political implications of his comeback.