Bangladesh recalls seven ambassadors amid government shake-up

Dhaka has ordered the immediate return of seven ambassadors who were appointed under the previous Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

These envoys, who were on contract, have been recalled as part of the ongoing administrative changes in the country, Caiber.Az reports via foreign media.

The recalled ambassadors include Mohammad Imran in Washington, Kamrul Hasan in Russia, Javed Patwary in Saudi Arabia, Shahabuddin Ahmed in Japan, Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan in Germany, Abu Zafar in the UAE, and High Commissioner Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad in the Maldives. 

These changes follow the formation of an interim government on August 8, which has initiated significant administrative reshuffles across Bangladesh.

In parallel developments, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has launched an investigation into former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and nine other individuals. They are accused of genocide and crimes against humanity in connection with the student-led mass protests that occurred between July 15 and August 5. A formal complaint was filed on August 14 against Hasina, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and other prominent figures.

The protests, which initially called for job quota reforms, quickly escalated into a significant anti-government movement in early August. Following Hasina’s resignation on August 5, the violence intensified, leading to over 230 deaths and bringing the total death toll to 560 during the three weeks of unrest.

In response to the crisis, a caretaker government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been established. The interim government has vowed to implement administrative and political reforms and to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. Sheikh Hasina, now 76, fled to India on August 5 amid the unprecedented protests.