The government will ensure full security for ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina if she returns to Bangladesh, Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said today.

He said Hasina would be brought to trial, with all her legal and constitutional rights guaranteed.

“[Hasina] has spoken of returning to the country in December. If she returns, she will be provided full security and brought to trial, with all her legal and constitutional rights ensured,” Zahed said at a weekly press briefing at the Secretariat.

“Everyone must accept whatever verdict the court delivers,” he added.

Responding to questions about former lawmaker and cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, the adviser said Shakib could also return to Bangladesh under full security and face the allegations against him.

“He may be a good player, but he is a spoiled and rotten person who aligned himself with Hasina and continues to do so,” Zahed said.

He reiterated that constitutional and civil rights would be guaranteed to everyone, including those accused of serious offences, regardless of their political affiliation.

“We do not want to see a mafia regime like Hasina’s in this country again, nor will we allow any fascist or mafia regime in the future. This is a democratic state,” he said.

On speculation surrounding the recent Dhaka visit of Parag Jain, chief of India’s intelligence agency RAW, Zahed urged people not to engage in unnecessary speculation.

He said the visit was part of routine engagement between the two neighbouring countries, similar to the recent visit to India by the director general of Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).