High ranking Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and Jamaat e Islami leaders detained and sent to jail

Several high ranking Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and Jamaat e Islami leaders were detained and sent to jail on 10 November 2008, sparking protests in Bangladesh. The politicians were detained in relation to corruption charges stemming from improprieties surrounding the operation of a coal mine. Due to the Emergency Powers Act, the politicians were remanded without bail. Their detention sparked protests in Bangladesh as thousands of supporters affiliated with Jamaat e Islami gathered at the north gate of the Parliament building in Dhaka. Jamaat supporters also blocked the road between Khambari and Bijoy Sarani intersections. No injuries were reported in these protests. Both the BNP and Jammat e Islami announced that they plan to hold demonstrations across Bangladesh to protest against the detentions.