DHAKA: An 87-year-old former minister was among 16 people ordered by a Bangladesh court on Friday to be detained in custody on charges of plotting against the government.

The country has been in turmoil since an uprising toppled Sheikh Has­ina’s autocratic government la­­st year, with political parties vying for power ahead of elections scheduled for February.

The 16 were arrested on Thursday after attending a meeting at Dhaka Re­­p­orters Unity (DRU), a jou­rnalists’ association, whe­re they accused political parties of conspiring to undermine the constitution.

Witnesses said a mob stormed the venue, heckled the participants, and later handed them over to police.

“They were arrested under the anti-terrorism act,” said Khalid Mansur, officer in charge of Dha­ka’s central police station.

Among those held was Abdul Latif Siddiqui, a former minister under She­ikh Hasina.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2025