Former Bangladeshi PM Accuses US Of Being Involved In His Overthrow

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused the US of being behind his overthrow because he refused to hand over Saint Martin Island, which would have an influence on Washington in Bengal Bay, according to India's daily report, The Economictimes (TET).

Hasina accused the US of trying to overthrow him from power due to his refusal to give up control of Saint Martin Island, "which would allow the US to influence Bengal Bay," the TET reported on Sunday.

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, August 13, citing a message delivered through "close friends," the report stated that Hasina (76), "could remain in power" by handing over the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island.

Locally known as Narikel Zinzira, or Kelapa Island, Saint Martin Island, a small land area of only three square kilometers, located in the northeast of Bengal Bay, about 9 kilometers south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. The island marks Bangladesh's southernmost point.

However, the report added: "He chose not to compromise the island's sovereignty, highlighting the importance of the island's strategic position and the potential geopolitical influence it represents in the region."

Ahead of his 15-year overthrow, Hasina claimed in May that there were plans "to create 'catholic countries like East Timor' by taking part in Bangladesh and Myanmar."

Without specifying any country, Hasina said she "was offered a problem-free re-election in the January 7 elections if she allowed foreign countries to build air bases in Bangladesh," according to Dhaka-based Daily Star.

Hasina also expressed "sadness" over political unrest in Bangladesh following her August 5 resignation, which began with protests over the removal of the controversial quota system in public work.

Regarding the statement, Hasina's son who lives in the US, Sajeeb Wazed, said in X: "The latest resignation statement associated with my mother published in a newspaper is completely wrong and fabricated."

"I just confirmed to him (Hasina) that he did not make any statements before or after leaving Dhaka," said Wazed, who previously served as IT entrepreneur and ICT adviser to the prime minister of Bangladesh.

Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 to a neighboring Indian country where she currently lives "for a while," according to Indian officials.

According to Prothom Alo daily, at least 580 deaths have been reported since July 16 during protests against the Hasina government, with 326 of them occurring in three days between August 4 and 6.

Shortly after he fled on August 5, the Head of the Bangladeshi Army, General Waker-uz-ZAman, said that Hasina had resigned. The times also announced the formation of a transitional government.

A day later, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament, which was elected in January when Hasina became prime minister for the fourth time.

Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as "leading adviser" on August 8 to lead a 17-member transitional government in Bangladesh.

The main opposition party of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party demanded a three-month national election to hand over power to representatives of the people.