Bangladesh interim government appoints Omar bin Hadi, brother of slain Islamist leader Osman Hadi, as Second Secretary at the Bangladesh mission in the UK, raising political, security, and governance concerns amid rising violence and election uncertainty.
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has appointed Omar bin Hadi, the brother of slain Islamist leader Osman bin Hadi, as Second Secretary at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The appointment, made on a three-year contractual basis, has sparked debate amid ongoing political uncertainty and rising concerns over governance, security, and transparency.
According to local media reports published on Friday, the appointment was confirmed through an official notification signed by Abul Hayat Rafique, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration. The Dhaka Tribune reported that the decision was formally communicated to relevant government departments, outlining the terms and conditions of Omar bin Hadi’s overseas diplomatic posting.
The notification clearly states that Omar bin Hadi will not be permitted to engage in any other profession, business activity, or employment during the tenure of his contract. It also restricts him from maintaining any professional or financial ties with government, semi-government, or private institutions, either within Bangladesh or abroad. Additional service conditions, including remuneration and performance obligations, will be governed by a separate contractual agreement.
The appointment comes barely weeks after the killing of Omar’s brother, Osman bin Hadi, a controversial Islamist figure who rose to national prominence during the mass protests of July–August 2024. Those protests ultimately led to the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government and paved the way for the current interim administration.
Osman bin Hadi, aged 32, was shot in the head on December 12 while traveling in a rickshaw along Paltan Road in Dhaka. According to police reports, the attackers fired from a moving motorcycle before fleeing the scene. He was critically injured and later airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment. Despite efforts by doctors, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
Osman served as a spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho, a platform that gained influence during the anti-government demonstrations. He was also a declared parliamentary candidate for the upcoming February 12 national elections and was widely known for promoting Islamist rhetoric and anti-India narratives. His speeches and public messaging often drew criticism from civil society groups and regional analysts who warned about rising radicalization in Bangladesh’s political discourse.
Following his brother’s death, Omar bin Hadi publicly accused a “vested quarter” within the Yunus-led interim government of orchestrating the killing to destabilize the electoral process ahead of the February 2026 polls. Speaking at a program organized by Inqilab Moncho outside the National Museum in Dhaka on December 23, Omar alleged that the murder was politically motivated.
“It is you who had Osman Hadi killed, and now you are trying to foil the election by using this as an issue,” Omar stated, directly blaming elements within the interim administration. His remarks were widely reported by national newspapers, including The Daily Star, and further intensified political tensions.
Omar also reiterated that his brother had supported holding national elections within the promised timeline and urged authorities not to create an atmosphere of fear or uncertainty. Calling for a swift and transparent investigation, he warned that failure to deliver justice could have long-term consequences for those in power.
“Ensure a speedy trial of the killers so the election environment is not harmed. The government has failed to show us any visible progress,” he said, adding that public anger would grow if accountability was not ensured.
The appointment of Omar bin Hadi to a diplomatic role has raised questions among political observers, particularly given his recent confrontational stance toward the interim government. Critics argue that the move could be seen as politically sensitive at a time when Bangladesh is grappling with widespread unrest.
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Since the formation of the Yunus-led interim administration, Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in violence targeting religious minorities, media organizations, cultural institutions, and even diplomatic missions. Human rights groups and international observers have repeatedly called for stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities and uphold democratic norms.
As Bangladesh prepares for its next phase of political transition, the appointment of a figure closely linked to a slain radical leader underscores the complex challenges facing the interim government—balancing governance, diplomacy, security, and public trust in an increasingly polarized environment.
