Dhaka hopes EU will amend statement on arrest of opposition leaders

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, in response to a top EU official’s concern about arrests of opposition leaders and activists in Bangladesh, has pointed out “gaps in information” in the statement, hoping that the bloc will issue an amended one.

Quader, also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, was addressing a press briefing at the party’s Dhaka district office in Tejgaon on Monday.

“They (EU) are our friends, we cannot denounce their statements. However, there are information gaps in their statement.”

The BNP, which had called two blockades recently, was trying to oust the government from power by launching attacks, Quader said, adding that his party would continue to hold peace rallies till the general election. 

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell took to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday to express concern about “the arrest of over 8,000 opposition activists” over clashes surrounding the party’s rally on October 28, urging refrain from all sides.