Bangladesh’s National Central Bureau of Police has submitted a three-phase application to Interpol seeking Red Notices against 12 individuals, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Others on the list include Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former Liberation War Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, former Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, former Textiles Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Tariq Ahmed Siddique, Nasrul Hamid, Mohammad Ali Arafat, and former IGP Benazir Ahmed.

The BNP has scheduled a rally in the Haidarabad area of Muradnagar upazila on Saturday afternoon, while the newly formed NCP (Nationalist Citizens’ Party) plans to hold its own gathering simultaneously in the Pir Kashimpur area—roughly 7 kilometers apart. Despite growing online tension between supporters of both parties, local administration reports that neither group has submitted a formal request for rally permission. Authorities, however, do not foresee any potential for clashes given the physical distance between the events. BNP leader Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad is expected to address the BNP rally, while NCP’s rally will feature Md. Billal Hossain Master, father of party adviser Asif Mahmud.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Bangladesh’s future won’t be shaped by global leaders like Trump, Modi, or Xi, but by its own people. “We must unite like we did during the uprising,” he said, expressing confidence in the country’s potential. He also thanked Dr. Yunus for his efforts and warned that failure to resolve U.S. tariff issues could escalate problems. Fakhrul urged special focus on addressing the needs of farmers.

During a meeting with the National Consensus Commission, NCP convenor Nahid Islam stated that the 2024 uprising was not meant to replace one party with another but to establish a democratic system that upholds public rights through meaningful reforms. He emphasized the need for constitutional change and stronger judicial and electoral frameworks. “We must ensure no return to authoritarianism or fascism,” he added, urging the public to embrace the July Charter as a symbol of this commitment.

Rafiqul Islam, joint general secretary of the Awami League’s Labagamara North Union unit in Cumilla, attended a local Jamaat-e-Islami conference, claiming he did so as a Muslim participating in Islamic events. “The event was held in my village, and I felt obligated to attend,” he stated. However, Jamaat leaders denied any knowledge of him or other Awami League members attending the event, asserting that members of other parties are typically not allowed to attend their gatherings.

At least 10 people were injured in a clash between two BNP factions in Chuknagar Bazar, Khulna, over control of market lease operations. One group was led by Sheikh Helal Uddin, chairman of Atlia Union Parishad and current general secretary of the local BNP unit, while the other group was headed by former general secretary Daulat Sardar. The altercation escalated when both groups attempted to collect lease fees even after the lease term had expired. Police and army personnel intervened to restore order.

At a party meeting on Friday chaired by NCP convenor Nahid Islam, it was announced that the party will launch a protest in Dhaka demanding reforms in the judiciary and the holding of National Assembly elections. The party has reorganized 64 districts into 19 zones for better organizational management. It was also decided that district committees will have 31–51 members and sub-district committees 21–41, with convenors required to be at least 40 years old. Allegations of misconduct led to the formation of a new internal disciplinary and investigation committee.

As part of the weeklong celebration of the Sangrai festival, a key event for the Marma community, a three-day “Friendship Water Festival” concluded in Bandarban. The closing ceremony was attended by Hill Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma and diplomats including EU Ambassador Charles Whiteley, Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro, and Dutch representative Andre Karstens. The adviser said the event showcased the peaceful coexistence in the hills to foreign guests and stressed that all residents of the hills are equals. The festival committee expressed gratitude for the diplomatic engagement and called on all citizens of Bangladesh to remain united in harmony, like the colorful Sangrai celebrations.

Azizur Rahman Azad, a student leader from Islami Chhatra Shibir, wrote on Facebook that over 11,000 political cases are currently filed against their members. He said that in October, the party’s central leadership met with legal adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, who promised to resolve the cases soon. However, Azad claims there has been no progress in the past eight months, and his passport application was repeatedly denied due to pending cases. Despite four visits to the Agargaon and Uttara passport offices, nothing was resolved until he secured a court order—twice. “Yesterday, I finally received a message: ‘Your passport is ready for delivery.’ If this is how I’m treated, imagine what the general public must go through,” he added. In a warning, he said, “Those sitting in power under the guise of reform are eroding citizens’ fundamental rights. If a mass uprising erupts, the responsibility will lie with these so-called advisers.”

Mohammad Akram Hossain, a 25-year-old from Ashuganj, died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war after joining the Russian army. His family received the news on Friday through a call from one of his fellow fighters. Akram had learned welding and moved to Russia with hopes of improving his family’s financial condition and securing his future. For eight months, he worked as a welder in a Chinese company in Russia. However, about two and a half months ago, he was lured by a broker into joining the Russian military as a contract soldier and took part in the war in Ukraine, which ultimately led to his death. According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), the government is in contact with the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to bring back his body.

Violent clashes erupted in Chattogram between Chhatra Dal and anti-discrimination student activists. Protesters from both groups held separate rallies, accusing each other of betrayal and violence. Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi of the anti-discrimination group said, “We are now forced to stand against our former allies.” Chhatra Dal’s joint convener Sabir Ahmed countered, claiming that the dispute originated from internal issues at Mostafa Hakim Degree College, which were politicized by their opponents. Two activists were critically injured in the clash.

Fazle Bari Masud, a leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, stated that the public demands structural reforms before any election. He warned that prioritizing elections without reform is akin to betraying the martyrs of the 2024 uprising. “Elections without reform will only bring another wave of fascism,” he said. He urged political parties not to ignore the people’s desire for change, criticizing those pushing elections to appease external powers.

A delegation from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) met with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to discuss the upcoming national election. The discussion covered international election monitoring and the need for a free and fair electoral process. ANFREL is an umbrella organization promoting electoral integrity across Asia, with 27 member groups from 17 countries, including Bangladesh.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has demanded swift and visible trials for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family, and political patrons. He stressed the urgency of electoral and structural reforms. Annie accused the government of using armed groups and looted weapons to suppress opposition activities, especially before the August 5 movement. He urged party members to stay alert and push forward organizational activities.

Mosharraf Hossain, also known as ‘Minoti Mosharraf,’ alleged to be a ‘cashier’ for former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, has been placed on a three-day remand in connection with the 2015 attack on Begum Khaleda Zia’s motorcade. The attack occurred during BNP’s mayoral campaign for Tabith Awal in the Dhaka North City Corporation election. The case was filed in August 2024.