A Dhaka court is set to hear arguments on the framing of charges in a treason case filed against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 286 others over allegations of attempting to overthrow the interim government through anti-state activities.

The hearing will be held at Dhaka’s Special Judge’s Court-9, presided over by Judge Abdus Salam, on Wednesday (January 21).

Defense lawyer Morshed Hossain Shahin said, “We will seek the discharge of the defendants. I hope the court will discharge them.” He added that the accused would face trial if charges are framed.

The case centres on allegations that the accused attempted to destabilize the state by participating in a Zoom meeting of the “Joy Bangla Brigade”, which investigators claim was formed to “overthrow” the interim government.

Twenty-seven accused, including former lawmaker Sabina Akter Tuhin, are currently in custody.

Other accused include Khulna Jubo League leader Parvez Khan Emon, Chattogram “Joy Bangla Brigade” chief Kabirul Islam Akash, Barishal Division leader Kamrul Islam, Sohana Parveen Runa, Hafizur Rahman Iqbal, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Modhu, AKM Akhtaruzzaman, Al Maruf, Elahi Newaz Masum and Sajjadul Anam.

The case was originally scheduled for a hearing on the framing of charges on Jan 5, but proceedings were deferred after Akhtaruzzaman was not produced before the court.

The hearing was subsequently rescheduled for Jan 21.

Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League president, has been in India since Aug 5 last year.

Of the 286 accused in the case, 259, including Hasina, have been declared absconders.

The case was filed on Mar 27 by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Enamul Haque, initially naming Hasina and 73 others on charges of treason.

Following an investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on Jul 30, expanding the list of accused to 286.

The court accepted the charge sheet on Aug 14 and issued arrest warrants against the accused.

On Sep 11, the court impozed travel bans, followed by an order on Oct 14 directing 256 absconders to appear before the court.

Notices were later published in newspapers.

As the case became ready for trial, it was transferred from Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court on Nov 11.

According to the prosecution, the alleged conspiracy took shape during a Zoom meeting on Dec 19 last year, attended by US Awami League Vice President Rabbi Alam and hundreds of party leaders and activists.

Investigators allege that Hasina delivered a speech “against the country” during the meeting, calling for the overthrow of the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

The speech, the case claims, was widely disseminated across the country through social media platforms.