Bangladesh crisis
© Pavel Rahman / AP In this April 29, 2012 file photo, Bangladeshi opposition activists throw stones at vehicles during a nationwide general strike against the abduction of opposition politician Elias Ali in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The abduction of Ali and his driver as they returned home from meeting supporters at a hotel on April 17, 2012, has sparked one of Bangladesh's biggest crisis in years. The clashes have reignited hostilities between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her archrival Khaleda Zia, who have alternated in power since a pro-democracy movement ousted the last military regime in 1990.

President of the Left group in the European Parliament

Dhaka, Bangladesh - The night watchman was dozing in a wooden chair just after midnight on a deserted Bangladeshi street when he was startled by a scream. A group of men were pulling two people from a car and forcing them into a black microbus; "The two guys were shouting, 'Save us,'" before the car pulled away, Lutfar Rahman said.

The abductions of an opposition politician and his driver last month have sparked Bangladesh's biggest crisis in years, raised hostilities between the most prominent leaders of its fragile democracy and highlighted a series of seemingly political disappearances.

The opposition has blamed the government, launched nationwide strikes and fought with police in street clashes that have killed five people and injured scores. Homemade bombs have exploded on the streets of Dhaka, including one inside a compound housing government ministries. The government has charged 44 top opposition leaders in connection with the violence.

On Wednesday, the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its 17 allies would demonstrate across the country to restart its paused protests.

Source: AP