Russia says events in Bangladesh 'internal affair,' looks forward to return to 'constitutional norms'

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia has said the recent events in Bangladesh are an "internal affair" of the country, but it hopes for a speedy return of "internal political processes" to "constitutional norms."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on Monday after weeks of protests against her government in which hundreds of people were killed.

Army chief Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, in an address to the nation, said Hasina had resigned and a transitional government will now run the country of 170 million people.

Hundreds of people were killed and wounded during the protests since July, which first called for the abolition of quotas in government jobs and later the resignation of Hasina, who had been in power for 15 years.

"The situation in the country is controlled by the Bangladeshi Army. A transitional government is expected to be formed soon," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

"Moscow operates on the premise that changes in the Bangladeshi government constitute an internal affair of that country. However, we look forward to the internal political processes in that friendly country returning to the constitutional norms as soon as possible," the readout added.