Bangladesh Military: We Foiled Coup

The Bangladesh military has foiled a plot by hardline Muslim officers and Bangladeshi conspirators living abroad to overthrow Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a military spokesman announced today. Brig. Gen. Muhammad Masud Razzaq told reporters that the military has specific evidence that up to 16 current and former Bangladeshi military officers "with extreme religious views" were involved in the "heinous conspiracy."

The plot was instigated by Bangladeshi conspirators living abroad, he added. Two retired officers have been arrested, Razzaq said, but he did not say when they were arrested. Bangladesh, a parliamentary democracy since 1990, has a history of coups and countercoups. (More Bangladesh stories.)