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Bangladesh: Yunus to declare national holiday for August 5, the day Hasina left in 2024
Amid the ongoing political turmoil, the government of Bangladesh declared August 5 a public holiday, marking the first anniversary of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's exit from the country following violent protests. On Thursday, the country's Cultural Affairs Adviser, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, announced the change in the public holiday list during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
Farooki announced that henceforth, the day will be observed as an annual holiday. He noted that the step is being taken to commemorate the July uprising, which toppled the Hasina government. The presser was also attended by the Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam.
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During the presser, Farooki said that an official Gazette notification will be issued after the upcoming Advisory Council meeting scheduled for Sunday. He also announced that preliminary programs marking the July uprising will commence on July 1, while the main events will take place from July 14 to August 1.
Hasina faces legal scrutiny
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday summoned Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to appear before the court on June 24. Calling them fugitives, the court said that both Bangladeshi politicians should face trial in cases of 'crimes against humanity'.
Hasina and Khan were accused of using the forces to murder and torture activists during last year's mass uprising that led to the fall of her Awami League government . She fled to India in August 2024, paving the way for Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to take over as Interim Chief Adviser.
The tribunal has directed authorities to publish notices, summoning Hasina and Khan. Meanwhile, the prosecution informed ICT that despite multiple attempts to arrest them, both remain at large. Meanwhile, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who is in custody, will be tried along with Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan.
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