'Govt has no interest in...': Hadi’s brother warns of siege on Yunus residence, accuses government of ignoring justice

Hadi’s brother threatens siege on Yunus residence

Amid ongoing protests over the assassination of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, his brother threatened on Friday to lay siege to Jamuna, the residence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, if necessary.

“Looking at the condition of the government, it is clear that they have no interest in ensuring justice. The demand for justice for Osman Hadi has now become the demand of 180 million people of Bangladesh,” Sharif Omar bin Hadi said at the protest site.

He added: “We have taken to the streets, and we will not return home until justice is delivered. We will be forced to announce even more stringent programmes. Before the situation of the state deteriorates further, we want to make it clear — do not force us to lay siege to the cantonment or Jamuna.”

Hadi, 32, an activist, poet, and spokesperson of the Inqilab Manch movement, was shot in Dhaka on December 12 during an election campaign event. He was flown to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18, sparking widespread unrest.

Previously, Omar accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of orchestrating Hadi’s killing to cancel the forthcoming Bangladesh election. He directly confronted political leaders and the interim administration, warning: “If you can’t give justice then you have to flee.”

Omar further alleged that those in power were responsible for his brother’s death, stating: “You have killed Osman Hadi and you want to cancel the election showing him. If Hadi does not get justice, you also have to leave this country.”

Hadi’s funeral saw heavy security and tens of thousands of mourners, many chanting, “Hadi’s blood will not go in vain.” Hadi had gained prominence during the July 2024 uprising that contributed to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and was seen as a potential voice in the February parliamentary elections.

Omar Hadi called on authorities to “bring all murderers who killed Hadi” to justice, highlighting broader demands for accountability. He reiterated that his brother “never bowed down,” a sentiment that resonated with the crowd as a tribute to Hadi’s defiance and spirit.