Bangladesh denies UN pressure in PM's ouster last year

Bangladesh's armed forces denied on Monday that United Nations pressure played a role in the decision by top brass last year not to quash protests that ousted ex-premier Sheikh Hasina.

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A student-led uprising ended Hasina’s 15-year tenure last August, with soldiers failing to intervene as thousands marched on her palace and forced her into exile.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk told the BBC last week that his office had warned that military involvement in any crackdown could result in Bangladeshi soldiers being banned from peacekeeping missions.

Bangladesh’s army said in a statement that it had not received "any direct communication" to that effect.

"This remark... appears to misrepresent the role of the Bangladesh Army and potentially undermines its reputation, sacrifice, and professionalism," it said.