Bangladesh military says it has foiled coup plot

[January 19, 2012]  DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) -- The Bangladesh military has foiled a plot by hardline Muslim officers, their retired colleagues and Bangladeshi conspirators living abroad to overthrow Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a military spokesman announced Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Muhammad Masud Razzaq told reporters at a news briefing Thursday that the military has specific evidence that up to 16 current and former Bangladeshi military officers "with extreme religious views" were involved in the "heinous conspiracy."

The plot was instigated by Bangladeshi conspirators living abroad, he added.

Two retired officers have been arrested, Razzaq said, but he did not say when they were arrested.

Bangladesh, a parliamentary democracy since 1990, has a history of coups and countercoups.

[Associated Press; By JULHAS ALAM]

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