A highly sensitive intelligence assessment has raised alarming concerns about a possible international conspiracy targeting Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with a former insider of her political circle allegedly playing a key role in the plot.

According to information obtained from a highly-placed intelligence source, Mohammad Ali Arafat, widely known as M.A. Arafat and long considered a close associate of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the only son of Sheikh Hasina, is suspected of maintaining contacts with foreign operatives who are allegedly seeking to eliminate the former Bangladeshi premier.

A trusted insider within Hasina’s circle

During Sheikh Hasina’s 17-year rule, Arafat enjoyed extraordinary access to power circles in Dhaka. He was widely described within Awami League circles as one of the closest confidants of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who effectively operated a parallel influence network through two institutions — the Center for Research and Information (CRI) and the Suchinta Foundation.

According to several Awami League insiders, Arafat played a significant operational role within these organizations, which were often viewed as strategic communication hubs supporting the government.

Critics inside and outside the party had long alleged that the networks surrounding these institutions were also linked to favoritism, opaque financial dealings and influence-peddling. However, such allegations were rarely investigated publicly during the tenure of the Awami League government.

Sources familiar with the internal dynamics of the family say Sheikh Hasina often refrained from intervening in matters involving her son’s close associates.

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