New Delhi, July 16 : The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today condemned the arrest of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and described the move as "a premeditated conspiracy to keep her out" of the Awami League, and from the process of dialogue for the upcoming elections.

"The arrest of Sheikh Hasina at 5 a.m. in the morning was nothing but a military operation sanctified by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. Since the extortion falls under the Emergency Powers, she cannot be granted bail until the conclusion of the trial. This is part of the conspiracy to purge her from the Awami League," said Suhas Chakma, Director of the ACHR.

"A caretaker government without the mandate of the people must function within the ambit of the Constitution but international community has been quite supportive of the abrogation of the Constitution, the rule of law and due process of law by the military backed Care-taker government," Chakma added.

Chakma urged the international community and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to intervene with the Government of Bangladesh to immediately release Sheikh Hasina, withdraw the ban on political rallies and to immediately hold dialogue with the political parties on the roadmap to holding elections at the soonest possible time.

Sheikh Hasina was arrested on the basis of an alleged extortion complaint filed by Tajul Islam Farook, Chairman of Westmont Power Company on June 13, 2007.