Bangladesh 'foils coup plot'

The Bangladesh military says it has foiled a bid by mutinous officers to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq told reporters that the military has specific evidence that a group of up to 16 hardline Islamic military officers - including at least two retired officers – were planning to remove the democratically elected government in a coup.

He calls their plans a “heinous conspiracy”.

He said two retired officers have been arrested.