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Analysis: could a jail term for Khaleda Zia spell unrest in Bangladesh?
Context
Verdict to be announced on February 8th on the case of alleged embezzlement of Tk. 21 million in foreign donations meant for the ‘Zia Orphanage Trust’
Threat of violence
The BNP, backed by its Islamist allies, has warned that it would take to the streets if the verdict goes against their leader
Views
Many senior BNP leaders said that if their leader is convicted, “a disastrous situation” might be created in the country, no matter whether the BNP announces any protest programme or not
- However, independent analysts do not foresee any major unrest as the BNP’s organisational strength has abated after the party was reduced to the status of a non-parliamentary opposition following its boycott of the 2014 general election.
