Sajeeb Wazed Joy Calls Awami League-Free Election a ‘Staged Drama’ in Al Jazeera Interview

In an interview with Al Jazeera journalist Srinivasan Jain in Washington DC, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, shared his views on Bangladesh’s current political crisis, the July–August 2024 mass uprising, the role of the Awami League, the party’s ban, election boycotts, allegations of violence, and claims of corruption.

The interview was broadcast as part of the second episode of Al Jazeera’s series “Bangladesh: A Democratic Test,” in which Joy spoke on behalf of the Awami League to clarify the party’s position.

July–August 2024 protests and government response

Joy acknowledged that the Awami League government mishandled the mass movement in July–August 2024. He said he had repeatedly admitted online that the government failed to manage the situation properly. However, he rejected claims that Sheikh Hasina ordered security forces to kill protesters.

Responding to allegations that hundreds of unarmed protesters were killed on the prime minister’s orders, Joy said such claims were false. He argued that if Sheikh Hasina had intended to kill protesters, she would not have lost power. He admitted that the situation turned violent and that some police officers used excessive force, adding that many officers were later suspended and a judicial inquiry committee was formed. He also said Sheikh Hasina met the family of Abu Sayeed and assured them of accountability.

Audio clip controversy and UN report

Addressing a leaked audio clip attributed to Sheikh Hasina, Joy claimed it had been taken out of context. He said the conversation reflected concerns about preventing bloodshed as protesters marched toward the prime minister’s residence. According to Joy, Sheikh Hasina had expressed fear that hundreds would die if security forces intervened and stated that she did not want such bloodshed.

Joy also rejected a UN report on the killings as biased, arguing that it failed to adequately account for deaths that occurred after the fall of the government. He questioned why killings following August 5 were not equally scrutinised and said justice must be applied equally to all sides.

Ban on the Awami League

Joy described the banning of the Awami League as undemocratic and illegal. Responding to criticism that the party had previously been accused of election manipulation and institutional capture, he said the Awami League had never banned any political party. He cited the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami as a court decision based on constitutional grounds, not a political move by the government.

Election rigging allegations

Regarding allegations of fraud in the 2018 election, Joy said internal and international opinion polls had predicted a landslide victory for the Awami League. He claimed neither the party leadership nor Sheikh Hasina wanted irregularities and that any misconduct was carried out by individuals within the administration without authorisation.

On the 2024 election, Joy said the opposition chose to boycott the polls and that the Election Commission was formed by a selection committee, not directly by the Awami League government.

February 2026 elections

Joy criticised the upcoming February 12, 2026 elections, calling them a “staged drama,” and urged a boycott. He claimed the Awami League had been barred from participation and alleged irregularities such as misuse of postal ballots.

He warned that elections held without the Awami League could lead to unrest, stating that political repression often breeds violence. When the interviewer suggested this sounded like a threat, Joy denied it, saying he was describing consequences, not issuing warnings. He insisted the Awami League does not want violence.

Allegations of violence and custodial killings

Joy denied claims that the Awami League was behind recent acts of violence, including the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. He alleged that since the July protests, hundreds of Awami League activists had been killed and that at least 30 party members had died in custody. He also cited the killing of a Hindu minority leader in prison, accusing authorities of suppressing the party while blaming it for ongoing unrest.

Corruption allegations

Addressing corruption allegations against himself, Joy said the claims were false and that he owned no illegal property. He noted that he had recently obtained US citizenship, arguing that such approval would not be possible if he had hidden assets or illegal wealth. He said no credible evidence had been presented against him or his family.

Joy acknowledged that corruption exists in all countries but said the Awami League government had attempted to address it while prioritising development. He defended former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, stating that his family had owned property for generations.

Verdict against Sheikh Hasina

Joy criticised the trial and verdict against Sheikh Hasina, calling the judicial process a farce. He alleged that she was denied the right to appoint her own lawyer and that legal procedures were altered to enable the trial without parliamentary oversight.

Future of the Awami League

Joy said the Awami League remains the country’s oldest and largest political party, with support from 40–50 percent of voters. He insisted the party has a future, even without Sheikh Hasina.

Regarding her retirement, Joy said Sheikh Hasina had intended this to be her last term and that the party would continue without her leadership. He acknowledged mistakes made during the party’s 17 years in power, admitting that some individuals should have been held accountable. However, he claimed the current situation in Bangladesh was worse, citing economic decline, lack of law and order, rising extremism, and what he described as completely rigged elections.