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File image of Ex-Bangladesh Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury (Photo: @qatar_fund/X)

Dhaka, April 7: On Tuesday, Bangladeshi authorities apprehended Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, a prominent leader of the Awami League and the first woman to serve as the Speaker of Parliament, as reported by local news outlets.

Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Media), NM Nasiruddin, confirmed that she was arrested at her home in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, early in the morning.

Nasiruddin informed the press that Chaudhury is currently being interrogated, with further details regarding her case expected to be released later.

According to the police, charges have been filed against her related to incidents during the protests in July at Banani and Uttara police stations. Additionally, there is a case against her in Rangpur.

Sources indicate that Chaudhury is implicated in the murder case of gold worker Muslim Uddin, who was killed during the protests in July 2024. This case was registered on August 27, 2024, and involves Chaudhury along with 16 others, including former commerce minister Tipu Munshi.

Munshi is currently in custody due to his involvement in the same case.

Chaudhury, who previously represented the Rangpur-6 constituency, made history as the first female Speaker of Parliament when she was elected on April 30, 2013.

She served four consecutive terms, with her latest term beginning on January 30, 2024, as the Speaker of the 12th National Parliament.

Reports suggest that she resigned on September 2, 2024, just 27 days after the fall of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina.

This incident is part of a broader trend of crackdowns on Awami League leaders and supporters that has been ongoing since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

Last month, the Awami League expressed serious concerns regarding what they termed as mass arrests and custodial deaths of political figures and activists, claiming these actions infringe on fundamental rights and threaten justice and the rule of law.

The party accused the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government of emulating the previous Yunus-led interim government by utilizing state resources for repression, torture, and suppression aimed at silencing opposition and seeking political revenge.

According to the Awami League, the ongoing mass arrests of political leaders and activists, coupled with deaths in custody, are causing widespread distress and anger throughout the nation.