A Bangladesh court has scheduled February 9 for the next sedition charge framing hearing against Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. The case involves allegations of plotting to overthrow the interim government through a virtual ‘Joy Bangla Brigade’ meeting, raising political tensions.
A Bangladesh court on Wednesday set February 9 as the date for holding another hearing on charge framing in a sedition case filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others.
The case relates to allegations that Hasina and several hundred Awami League members took part in a virtual meeting of a group called the ‘Joy Bangla Brigade’ in December 2024, during which they allegedly plotted to overthrow the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
Judge Md Abdus Salam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-9 passed the order, allowing separate pleas from the defence in this connection, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported.
Of the 286 accused, 259, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, are still at large and are being tried in absentia. On October 14 last year, the court ordered the publication of notices in newspapers asking the fugitives, including Hasina, to appear before the court.
According to the case statement, a virtual meeting titled “Joy Bangla Brigade” was held on December 19, 2024, during which participants allegedly vowed to wage a civil war to reinstall Hasina as the country’s prime minister. A total of 577 individuals in Bangladesh and abroad joined the Zoom meeting and expressed their commitment to follow her directives.
The Criminal Investigation Department found that the online meeting, hosted by US Awami League leader Dr Rabbi Alam, included discussions aimed at resisting the lawful government and inciting rebellion against the state, BSS reported.
CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Enamul Haque filed the sedition case against Hasina and 72 others on March 27, 2025. Following the investigation, the CID submitted a charge sheet on August 14 against 286 individuals, including Hasina. The court accepted the charge sheet and issued arrest warrants against all the accused.
Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November by a special tribunal for “crimes against humanity” over her government’s brutal crackdown on student-led protests.
She was ousted after violent student-led protests in July and August 2024 and fled to India on August 5 that year. Three days later, Muhammad Yunus took over as head of the interim government, which disbanded Hasina’s Awami League party through an executive order.
