Bangladesh’s Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam announced that formal charges have been filed against retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan for alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The tribunal accepted the charges, issuing a production warrant for Ahsan and scheduling the next hearing for December 21. The case accuses him of orchestrating operations that led to the abduction and killing of over 100 people across multiple districts.

According to the prosecution, the charges include three major incidents involving the abduction, torture, and killing of political dissidents and others between Dhaka, Gazipur, and coastal regions like Barguna and the Sundarbans. Victims were allegedly executed and their bodies disposed of in rivers to conceal evidence. The prosecutor claimed that the operations were conducted under the guise of anti-crime or anti-piracy missions.

The tribunal’s move marks a rare legal step against a former senior security official. Human rights groups are expected to closely monitor the proceedings, which could set a precedent for accountability in cases of state-linked disappearances.

Fourteen government officials and employees have been temporarily suspended following a protest at Bangladesh’s Secretariat that violated administrative laws. The Ministry of Public Administration confirmed the suspensions through multiple circulars issued on Monday. The action follows a December 10 incident in which non-cadre officials confined Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed for over six hours during a demonstration demanding a 'Secretariat allowance.' The officials were later placed on five-day remand under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

According to ministry sources, those suspended include leaders of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council and staff from several ministries, including Health, Finance, and Information. Witnesses said protesters blocked the adviser’s exit and chanted slogans until police escorted him out around 8:12 p.m.

The suspensions mark a strong administrative response to growing unrest among non-cadre employees over pay disparities. Officials indicated that further disciplinary measures could follow pending investigation outcomes, while unions have called the move excessive and politically motivated.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, remains in a critical condition at Singapore General Hospital after being airlifted there earlier this week. His health deteriorated slightly during the air transfer but stabilized temporarily before worsening again on Wednesday afternoon. Doctors are now assessing whether he is fit enough to be moved to the UK for advanced neurological surgery.

According to hospital and family sources, Hadi requires a complex brain operation that cannot be adequately performed in Singapore. The Singapore General Hospital has already contacted Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham to arrange his transfer, pending medical clearance. Interim government advisers have assured Hadi’s family of full cooperation, while supporters in Bangladesh and the UK continue to coordinate efforts.

Medical experts warn that transporting Hadi without stabilization could be risky. His family and colleagues have requested prayers for his recovery, emphasizing that the immediate goal is to restore brain-body connectivity before any surgery can proceed.

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member and Dhaka South Ameer, Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul, has officially collected his nomination papers to contest from Chapainawabganj-3 (Sadar) constituency in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Speaking to reporters after submitting his papers, Bulbul demanded that authorities ensure the safety of all candidates, party workers, and voters during the election process.

He emphasized the need for a level playing field to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election, asserting that Jamaat-e-Islami seeks to build a humane and secure Bangladesh. Bulbul also pledged to make Chapainawabganj a safe haven for people of all political, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. Senior party leaders, including former mayor Mohammad Nazrul Islam and former MP Latifur Rahman, were present during the nomination submission.

The call for security reflects growing concerns among opposition parties about election-time violence and intimidation. Election officials are expected to review nominations and finalize the candidate list in the coming weeks.

Biru Molla, the president of the BNP’s Laxmikunda Union unit in Ishwardi, Pabna, was shot dead on Wednesday morning following a family dispute over land. The incident occurred in Kamalpur village when Molla visited his cousin Jahurul Molla’s home to discuss the contested property. According to police, an argument escalated, leading Jahurul and his son to open fire, fatally striking Biru Molla in the head.

Additional Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar Sarkar confirmed that the killing stemmed from a long-standing family conflict. Ishwardi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mominuzzaman said the body was sent for autopsy and legal proceedings are underway. Local residents reported heightened tension in the area after the shooting.

Police have been deployed to prevent further violence, as the killing of a local political leader has stirred unrest in the community. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine whether political motives were involved or if it was purely a domestic dispute.

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.

Two Rohingya men were seriously injured in a landmine explosion on Totar Island in Myanmar’s Arakan State, near the Naf River bordering Bangladesh. The victims reportedly crossed into Bangladesh through the Hwaikong border in Teknaf after the blast and were initially treated at the Kutupalong MSF hospital before being transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital due to worsening conditions.

Local sources said the explosion occurred during a routine patrol by the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), which has been active in the conflict zone. The area has long been suspected of being mined by Myanmar’s military junta, though no clear warnings were in place. Witnesses confirmed that several injured individuals were seen crossing the border by boat with the help of local intermediaries.

The incident follows recent heavy clashes between the Arakan Army and the ARA over control of several islands along the Naf River. The fighting has heightened security concerns on both sides of the border, with stray bullets previously landing inside Bangladeshi territory.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has identified brokers as the main obstacle to the country’s overseas manpower exports. Speaking at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on the occasion of International Migrants Day and National Expatriates Day 2025, he urged authorities to protect migrant workers from exploitation and to free the sector from middlemen. According to Yunus, the entire labor export process is dominated by brokers who deceive workers and hinder progress.

Dr. Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh’s youthful population is a valuable resource in a world facing labor shortages. Citing his recent visit to Japan, he noted that Japan needs workers and that Bangladesh could supply up to 100,000 if language training is ensured. He expressed surprise that Japan recruited 7,000 workers from Nepal but only 2,000 from Bangladesh.

He added that many Japanese cities face severe labor shortages, with idle farmland and halted taxi services. Yunus urged reforms to ensure transparent recruitment, enabling Bangladesh to capitalize on its demographic advantage and expand its global labor footprint.

A mild cold wave has continued for seven consecutive days in Tetulia, Panchagarh, marking the lowest temperatures in Bangladesh for over a week. On Wednesday, December 17, the Tetulia Weather Observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 9.7°C with 71% humidity, following 9.5°C the previous day and 9°C on December 15. The daytime highs have remained around 27°C, indicating a sharp contrast between day and night temperatures.

According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer of the Tetulia Weather Observatory, the mild cold wave began on December 11 and has persisted across various parts of the upazila. The consistent low temperatures have made Tetulia the coldest region in the country during this period. Local residents have reportedly experienced increased cold discomfort, especially during early mornings and late nights.

Meteorologists expect the cold conditions to continue for several more days, with the possibility of the cold wave spreading to adjacent northern districts. Authorities have advised residents to take precautions against cold-related illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has recovered firearms and ammunition allegedly used in the shooting of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The operation, conducted on December 16 in Narsingdi’s Tarua area, led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect named Md. Faisal. Authorities seized two foreign pistols, two magazines, a toy gun, and 41 rounds of ammunition from his possession, according to RAB’s Legal and Media Wing Director, Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury.

The recovery followed intelligence-based operations after Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 while traveling by rickshaw in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. The assailant reportedly fired from a moving motorcycle. Earlier, RAB had detained the parents of the prime suspect, Faisal Karim Masud, in connection with the case.

Investigators are now analyzing ballistic evidence and communication records to trace the network behind the attack. The incident has drawn public concern over political violence and the safety of activists ahead of upcoming political programs.

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 Bank’s latest report reveals that as of September 2025, nearly 91% of all defaulted loans in the banking sector have become unrecoverable, posing a severe threat to the country’s financial stability. The total volume of defaulted loans reached BDT 6.44 trillion, with BDT 5.85 trillion classified as bad or loss category. This marks a sharp rise from the previous year, when unrecoverable loans accounted for about 82% of total defaults.

Sector insiders attribute the surge to large business groups that borrowed heavily during the previous Awami League government and allegedly siphoned funds abroad. Following political changes, many borrowers fled the country, further reducing recovery prospects. State-owned banks hold the largest share of bad loans, with Janata Bank alone reporting BDT 695.86 billion in unrecoverable debt. Private banks, including Islami Bank Bangladesh and First Security Islami Bank, also face mounting pressure.

Experts warn that the growing volume of bad loans will erode banks’ lending capacity and profitability, as they must maintain full provisioning against such debts. Bangladesh Bank has identified 24 commercial banks failing to meet required provisions, signaling deep structural stress in the sector.

Bangladeshi intelligence sources have revealed that a secret meeting took place at a resort in Savar to plan the killing of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. The three-and-a-half-hour meeting reportedly occurred early Friday morning at the Green Zone Resort in Madhumati Model Town. Surveillance footage shows four individuals entering and leaving the room during the specified time frame.

Investigators identified the participants as alleged shooter Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Dawood Khan, his partner Maria, and two others including Alomgir Hossain. Authorities claim the group discussed details of the planned attack, with an audio recording of their conversation now in the possession of law enforcement. Maria was arrested on December 13, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Security forces have seized CCTV footage and conducted searches at the resort. The resort’s staff, including a service worker who booked the room, have been questioned by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Officials say the evidence is being analyzed to determine the full scope of the conspiracy.

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.

The Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) located at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka announced an early closure on Wednesday due to unspecified security concerns. According to a notice published on IVAC Bangladesh’s official website, all operations were suspended from 2 p.m. onward, with no further processing of visa applications until a new schedule is announced.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the capital, where various political and social groups have planned demonstrations near diplomatic zones. While the Indian High Commission has not issued an official statement, the precautionary measure reflects growing worries about potential disruptions or safety risks for staff and applicants. Applicants with pending appointments have been advised to monitor official channels for updates.

The temporary closure may delay visa processing for travelers to India, including business and medical visitors. Authorities are expected to reassess the situation before resuming services, with further announcements likely in the coming days.