Three sources told Reuters on Thursday that Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former ally of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will resign on Friday, days after Hasina announced her return home from exile to surrender herself.

In November last year, Bangladesh's war crimes court sentenced Hasina to death in absentia after convicting her of ordering a crackdown on a student-led uprising in 2024 that killed nearly 1,400. Hasina denied the charges from exile.

News of Hasina's return from India increased public pressure on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's new government to remove her remaining allies from top positions.

Because Shahabuddin holds the post of head of state, he also serves as supreme commander of the armed forces, but the role is largely ceremonial. Executive power rests with the prime minister and cabinet in the Muslim-majority nation of about 173 million people.

Two sources said Shahabuddin decided to resign and informed the prime minister. One source said Shahabuddin informed Rahman on Tuesday, and the official announcement will be made on Friday.

The three sources requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Shahabuddin did not respond to repeated calls and messages seeking comment. He told Reuters in December that he intended to resign after the February elections that brought Rahman to power. Spokespeople for Rahman have not yet responded to requests for comment.

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