United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission (EC) will publish the country’s final electoral rolls on Tuesday, listing around 128 million voters for the 13th parliamentary election to be held in early February. Earlier, on November 3, the Commission released the draft updated voter lists and invited objections over the draft lists before finalisation. According to the draft lists, the number of registered voters in Bangladesh is approximately 12.76 crore (exactly 127,612,384). Of them, 64,760,382 are male, 62,850,772 are female, and 1,230 are from the third gender voters. The youth who turned 18 years by October 31, 2025 were eligible to be included in the electoral rolls, enabling them to vote in the next general election. Working with a clear commitment to create fair election atmosphere: CEC The Election Commission is going to update the voter lists for the third time within the current year – the first one is on March 2, 2025, the second one is on August 31, 2025 and the third one is on November 18, 2025. During the last 12th parliamentary election held on January 7, 2024, the total number of voters was around 119.69 million throughout the country.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said the overall situation in the country remains calm following the death sentences handed down to Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in a case related to crimes against humanity during last year’s July–August mass uprising. “The general public appears largely unperturbed by the verdict, reflecting a sense of stability across the nation,” he said while talking to reporters after a core committee meeting at the Secretariat on Monday. The adviser said people were moving around normally and there was no sign of anxiety or unrest on the streets. He, however, acknowledged some incidents but stressed that these were minor and that no major violence or instability had been observed. Jahangir Alam said those who had attempted to detonate crude bombs were promptly detained by law enforcement agencies. On the question of Hasina’s extradition, the Adviser said another formal letter would be sent regarding her return. He also cautioned against provocative remarks from neighbouring countries, saying Bangladesh must remain vigilant and act responsibly. Jahangir Alam urged students to concentrate on their studies instead of gathering in Dhanmondi-32. Earlier in the day, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August mass uprising. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison. The three-member tribunal, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder began delivering the verdict around 12:30pm unveiling a 453-page judgment. The tribunal found all three accused guilty of the charges against them.

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) on Monday signed land lease agreements with two fully foreign-owned companies to establish new industrial units at the BEPZA Economic Zone, marking an inflow of USD 70.66 million in the light engineering and garment accessories sectors. The investment, from Hong Kong–China-based DJ Copper Company Limited and GRX Technology (BD) Company Limited, is expected to create employment opportunities for 1,105 Bangladeshi nationals while supporting diversified industrial growth and strengthening the country’s export-oriented production base, said a press release. Md Ashraful Kabir, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, signed the agreemetns on behalf of the authority while Zhang Na, Managing Director of GRX Technology (BD) Company Limited, and Zhang Junfeng, Managing Director of DJ Copper Company Limited, signed for their respective companies. BEPZA’s Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain witnessed the ceremony. Under the agreements, DJ Copper Company Limited will invest USD 50.66 million to produce light engineering and copper-based products, including wires, sheets, hardware, cable wires, zipper teeth, brass wires, and electronic accessories, on 21,600 square metres of land, employing 535 workers. GRX Technology (BD) Company Limited will invest USD 20 million to manufacture garment accessories such as zippers, sliders, buttons, logos, and belt buckles on 14,400 square metres, creating 570 jobs.  

The interim government on Monday said the death sentences announced against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on charges of crimes against humanity mark a historic verdict. Acknowledging the profound significance of the verdict, the interim government urged citizens from all walks of life to remain calm, composed and responsible. Fakhrul calls Hasina verdict ‘end of all dictatorships’ in Bangladesh "The government further emphasises that any attempt to create anarchy, chaos, or disturb public peace will be dealt with strictly," said the government in a statement shared by the Chief Adviser's press wing. The public is especially requested to refrain from any form of disorder, provocative behavior, violence, or illegal activities in the aftermath of the verdict, the statement reads. Govt to write to India again for Hasina’s extradition: Law Adviser "This judgment—long-awaited by the nation, particularly by the families of the martyrs of the July Uprising—may understandably evoke strong emotions. However, the government firmly warns against any actions that may disrupt public order based on those sentiments," said the government.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Monday said the government will write to India again seeking Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. “If India continues to shelter this criminal, it must understand that such an act is unfriendly to Bangladesh and its people. It is deeply condemnable. A verdict has been delivered today and it will continue at full pace as long as we are here,” he told reporters at his Secretariat office. Asif Nazrul said he is happy with the verdict against Sheikh Hasina though not surprised. “Given the extensive and compelling evidence of crimes against humanity committed by Sheikh Hasina and her associates the highest punishment was inevitable in any court of justice,” said the adviser. “Today is a historic day for Bangladesh as this verdict marks one of the strongest steps toward establishing justice in the country,” he said. The Law Adviser said after the verdict it feels like another victory for the July Uprising. “I remember those who sacrificed their lives — Abu Sayed, Mugdho, Wasim, Yamin, Anas and many others. I feel their departed souls may find some peace today. Their grieving families may find at least a little comfort through this judgment.” He hoped the next elected government will never shy away from carrying forward this solemn responsibility of the trial process, he added.

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) on Monday signed a landmark concession agreement with Netherlands-based APM Terminals BV for the development and operation of the Laldia Container Terminal in Chattogram. Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain attended the signing ceremony as the chief guest held at a city hotel. Also present were Lina Gandløse Hansen, State Secretary for Trade and Investment at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Christian Brix Møller, Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh; Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of the Maersk board; and Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, CEO of the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), who chaired the event. APM Terminals, a unit of Danish shipping conglomerate AP Moller – Maersk, will manage the terminal for 30 years under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. Under the concession, the company will oversee the full lifecycle of the greenfield project, including design, financing, construction and operation. The firm will invest an initial US$550 million (around Tk 6,700 crore) over the next three years for construction, equipment procurement and associated costs. This is regarded as one of the largest single European equity investments in Bangladesh to date. APM Terminals will also pay Tk 250 crore to the CPA as signing money. Maersk Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla said the Laldia terminal is expected to come into operation between 2028 and 2030. Ownership of the port facility will remain with the Chittagong Port Authority. The agreement includes a revenue-sharing mechanism to ensure financial returns for the CPA. APM Terminals will pay the authority US$21 for every twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) handled. If annual throughput exceeds 900,000 TEUs, the rate will rise to US$23 per TEU, with the rate gradually decreasing beyond that volume. PPPA CEO Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said the revenue structure was designed to safeguard the CPA from any financial losses. Once operational, the terminal is expected to add more than 800,000 TEUs to the port’s annual handling capacity, easing congestion and boosting overall efficiency. The partnership is expected to introduce advanced port technologies and global best practices, contributing to the modernisation of Bangladesh’s maritime logistics sector.  

The International Crisis Group on Monday said the prospect of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ‘mounting a political comeback in Bangladesh now appears very slim’. “The political repercussions of this verdict are significant," said Crisis Group's expert on Bangladesh, Senior Consultant Thomas Kean. But as long as she refuses to give up control of the Awami League, the party is unlikely to be allowed back into the political arena, Thomas Kean said. The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Monday (November 17) convicted and sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August uprising, which claimed more than 1,000 lives. She was also sentenced to imprisonment unto death on a separate charge. A spate of recent bombings and the Awami League’s call for a nationwide ‘lockdown’ have put the country on edge as it nears much-anticipated national elections scheduled for February 2026, said the Crisis Group expert. "The Awami League should desist from acts of violence, and the interim government must avoid heavy-handed crackdowns against party supporters," Thomas Kean said. He said the conviction of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity will be widely welcomed in Bangladesh, where there are few doubts about her responsibility for the atrocities committed against protesters in July-August 2024. A United Nations investigation already established that the crackdown, which left as many as 1,400 people dead, occurred with the full knowledge, coordination and direction of the political leadership, singling out Sheikh Hasina and one of her co-defendants, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, he said. The trial at Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal only revealed further evidence to this end, including recordings of Sheikh Hasina discussing the crackdown and the testimony of the country’s former police chief, Kean said. “The process has not been without critics. In absentia trials are often a source of contention and in this case the speed with which the hearings were conducted and the apparent lack of resources for the defence also raise questions of fairness," he said. "These criticisms reflect longstanding challenges within Bangladesh’s criminal justice system, which the country’s interim government has not done enough to address since it came to office in August 2024. But they should not be used to downplay or deflect from Sheikh Hasina’s actions, or indeed those of the Awami League leadership or parts of the security forces," Thomas Kean said.  

Security measures have been tightened at the house of Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1), in Fulgazi upazila of Feni district centring Sheikh Hasina’s verdict on Monday. A three-member tribunal headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder pronounced the verdict this afternoon in a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July uprising. Justice Mortuza hails from Mojumdar Bari in Hasanpur village of the upazila. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the tribunal was reconstituted with Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder as its head.  

The International Crimes Tribunal-1  on Monday sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August mass uprising. The three-member tribunal, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder began delivering the verdict around 12:30pm unveiling a 453-page judgment. The tribunal found all three accused guilty of the charges brought against them. Hasina gets death penalty, jail unto death for crimes against humanity   Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death on two counts of crimes against humanity. Asaduzzaman Khan was awarded the death penalty on one charge. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison. As Sheikh Hasina and former minister Asaduzzaman Khan fled the country amid the massive movement on August 5 last year only former IGP Mamun was present at the dock during the delivery of the judgment.   Bangladesh Television (BTV) telecast the verdict live and it was also shown via giant screen at 10 spots of the capital. Initially, Sheikh Hasina was the sole accused in the case. Ex-IGP Mamun gets 5-year jail term for crimes against humanity On March 16 this year, the prosecution appealed to include former IGP Mamun as an accused alongside Sheikh Hasina and the tribunal approved it. After the Awami League government was toppled on August 5, 2024, the ICT was reconstituted. The tribunal conducted its first hearing on October 17 last year, issuing an arrest warrant against Hasina that day. After extending the deadline several times, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its final probe report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on May 12 this year. On June 1, the prosecution formally filed charges against Sheikh Hasina and the two accused. The 5 charges are: ·         Inciting violence in a press conference at Ganabhaban on 14 July 2024; ·         Ordering the elimination of protestors using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons; ·         Student Abu Sayed’s killing in shooting at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur; ·         The killing of six protestors at Chankharpul, Dhaka; ·         The burning of six people in Ashulia. The tribunal formally framed these charges on July 10. The day the charges were framed, Mamun confessed to the court his involvement in crimes against humanity during the uprising and became a state witness. Arguments in the case began on October 12 and concluded on October 23. Relatives of victims, including the father of martyr Abu Sayed, testified in the case, along with key witnesses including Nahid Islam, Convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman. In total, 54 witnesses testified during the trial.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday sentenced former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun to five years in prison in a case filed over crimes against humanity. The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, pronounced the verdict in a packed courtroom in the capital. Hasina gets death penalty, jail unto death for crimes against humanity   Former IGP Mamun was present at the dock during the delivery of the judgment.   Earlier, Mamun confessed to the court his involvement in crimes against humanity and became a state witness.