Bangladesh police arrest over 10,000 in new security sweep News
Bangladesh police arrest over 10,000 in new security sweep

[JURIST] Bangladesh [JURIST news archive] police have thusfar arrested at least 10,000 people in a major security sweep ahead of elections slated for later this year, national police chief Nur Mohammad told AFP Wednesday. The arrests, which began last week [JURIST report], are part of an expected month-long operation to suppress criminal and corruption-related activity. Bangladeshi political parties the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party [party websites] have already accused the government of using the sweep for political purposes. AFP has more.

Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency [JURIST report] in the country in January 2007 and canceled a scheduled national election. His interim government has since launched a major crackdown on corruption which has led to numerous arrests and the indictment of two former prime ministers.