Dhaka [Bangladesh], May 15 (HBTV): Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has reportedly obtained United States citizenship. According to Bangladesh Pratidin, he took the US citizenship oath at the US Citizenship Centre in Washington, DC, and received his citizenship certificate on Saturday.

"Sajeeb Wazed Joy took the oath of US citizenship at the US Citizenship Centre in Washington, DC and received his citizenship certificate on Saturday. After receiving the certificate, he also applied for a passport," the daily reported.

The report added that a total of 22 individuals from various countries participated in the ceremony, including three of Bangladeshi origin. Among them, Joy was the second to take the oath. He was accompanied by a lawyer.

Commenting on the development, Muhammad Ali Arafat, an Awami League leader and former State Minister for Information, said: "Since Sajeeb Wazed Joy's Bangladeshi passport, which he used to travel with, was illegally revoked by Yunus's illegitimate government. Under this circumstance, he had to obtain a US passport."

He further explained that Joy’s US permanent resident status (green card) did not allow him to travel internationally.

"A green card does not allow to travel outside the US. Joy needed a passport to travel outside the US or visit his mother. In the current situation, he had to get a US passport," Arafat said.

Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a student-led uprising in August last year. Following her removal, she reportedly fled to India, while an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was established in Bangladesh.

On May 10, the Bangladesh interim government banned the Awami League, the country’s oldest political party. The decision was announced in a press release, citing concerns over national security and sovereignty.

"The Advisory Council meeting discussed the need to protect the country's security and sovereignty, the security of the leaders and activists of the July Movement, and the protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal until the trial of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders is completed. A decision has been taken to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act," the statement said.

(ANI)