A fire broke out on the balcony of the abandoned central office of the Awami League on Shaheed Abrar Fahad Avenue in the capital on Thursday (13 November), as demonstrators set the area ablaze in protest.

The incident occurred during a demonstration organised by July Freedom Fighters’ Council, who gathered to protest against what they described as the “anarchy” of the now-banned Awami League. 

The protesters reportedly set fire to parts of the deserted building and vandalised sculptures on its walls.

The unrest came in the wake of the International Crimes Tribunal’s announcement that it will deliver its verdict on Monday (17 November) in the case against deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her close aides, accused of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising last year.

The Awami League, in response, had earlier announced a “lockdown” programme ahead of the verdict day.

The date for the verdict was fixed by the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, along with two other members.

Security has since been tightened in the area, with law enforcement personnel deployed to prevent further violence.