What next for Abdul Hamid after returning to Bangladesh? Former president under probe over 2024 crackdown on student protesters

Former Bangladesh president Mohammad Abdul Hamid who left for Bangkok in the middle of the night after evading security checks is back in Dhaka. He arrived at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 1.30 am on Thai Airways flight TG-339.

The 81-year-old, who served as Bangladesh president from 2013 to 2023, alighted the flight in a wheelchair and was directed to the immigration counter 15 minutes later. He was clad in a shirt, lungi and slippers, the same outfit he wore while leaving. By 3 am, he left for home, according to local reports.

What next for Abdul Hamid?

The former Awami League parliamentarian, who is under investigation for actions taken against rioters during the student agitation in 2024, left Dhaka on May 8. Hamid is also co-accused in a murder case wherein protesters were shot dead.

With Hamid back in Bangladesh, the Yunus government is expected to expedite criminal proceedings against the former president.

Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's party Awami League was recently banned by the interim government under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Bangladesh also formally charged Hasina and two other officials over "crimes against humanity" by violently cracking down on the student protests in 2024.

According to UN figures, at least 1,400 people lost their lives in the crackdown on Bangladesh protests.

Hamid's departure and the controversy

CCTV footage from May 8 showed Hamid arriving at the VIP terminal at 12.46 am. However, the Muhammad Yunus government was puzzled by the mysterious way the former president left the country.

Hamid reportedly was allowed to proceed to Gate No 33, which is exclusively meant for "secure airport personnel" and did not undergo mandatory security checks. Only the sitting president is exempt from this and even interim leader Yunus has to undergo the process before proceeding to the Gates.