The US State Department rejected Russia’s claim of interfering in Bangladesh’s political affairs asserting that the United States supports free and fair elections in Bangladesh.

The statement upholds the commitment to ongoing engagement with Bangladesh government, opposition, civil society and other stakeholders, said a State Department spokesperson on Friday.

On November 22, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed in an embassy brief that US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas had met a high-ranking representative of the local opposition at the end of October and reportedly discussed plans to organise anti-government mass protests.

In response to a query in this regard, the State Department spokesperson said, “We are aware of Zakharova’s deliberate mischaracterization of US foreign policy and Ambassador Haas’s meetings. The United States does not support any political party in Bangladesh.  Nor does the United States favor one political party over another.”

“We want what the Bangladeshi people themselves want: free and fair elections, which are conducted in a peaceful manner.”

To support that shared goal of free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner, the US embassy personnel engage and will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people.

Bangladesh is currently passing through a politically chaotic situation since October centering the 12th parliamentary election scheduled for January 7.

As of October, Bangladesh is undergoing a political upheaval in the lead-up to the 12th parliamentary election scheduled for January 7, marked by strikes and blockades throughout November.

The nation has also witnessed widespread violence and intense political clashes, resulting in numerous casualties, including the tragic death of a police officer and the arrest of many opposition party men.

BDST: 1432 HRS, NOV 25, 2023
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