A court in Bangladesh has handed a six-month prison sentence to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus for alleged labor law violations, according to prosecutors. Yunus, aged 83, and his renowned Grameen Bank, recipients of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for pioneering microcredit to lift millions out of poverty, now face legal challenges.
Accused by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of “sucking blood from the poor,” Yunus and three employees from Grameen Telecom, a company he founded, were convicted for failing to establish a welfare fund for its employees. Supporters of Yunus claim that the government’s motive is to discredit him due to his past consideration of setting up a political party to rival Hasina’s Awami League.
In response to the verdict, Yunus declared, “This verdict against me is contrary to all legal precedent and logic. I call for the Bangladeshi people to speak in one voice against injustice and in favor of democracy and human rights for each and every one of our citizens.”
Despite the convictions, the court granted bail to Yunus and his co-accused employees, allowing them one month to file an appeal against the court’s decision, as stated by prosecutor Khurshid Alam Khan.
Yunus’ lawyer, Abdullah Al Mamun, announced plans to appeal against the verdict, describing the case as politically motivated and a form of harassment against his client. Yunus faces over 100 other charges related to labor law violations and alleged corruption.
Critics, including human rights groups, accuse Prime Minister Hasina’s government of targeting political dissent. This development comes as Hasina seeks a fifth term, her fourth consecutive one, in an election scheduled for January 7, a contest boycotted by the main opposition party.