Top aides of Khaleda, Hasina held in Dhaka by security forces

Bangladesh security forces used emergency powers to detain 13 senior politicians and former government ministers early today.

Eight of the detainees, including former ministers Nazmul Huda and Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, are close aides of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Those arrested included Mohammad Nasim, a former Home minister and a senior leader of the Awami League party, headed by Zia’s main rival, ex-premier Sheikh Hasina.

The arrests came days after the country’s interim leader Fakhruddin Ahmed vowed his government would crack down on corruption. Feuding between Hasina and Zia over electoral reforms has triggered violent street protests, forcing the President to impose a state of emergency on January 11.

National elections had been scheduled for January 22 but were postponed indefinitely due to the violence.

–FARID HOSSAIN