A court in Bangladesh has ruled several prominent political figures can remain in police custody as part of the government-led crackdown on alleged corruption.
Since Monday, authorities have detained 11 people from the country's two main political parties. They including six former government ministers, two businessman, two local mayors and a forestry official.
The detainees were all held under emergency laws which allow for arrest or detention without warrants or specific charges while allegations are investigated.
They include the mayor of Sylhet, Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran in the northeast and the mayor of Barisal Mujibur Rahman Sarwar in the south. A top member of the Awami League, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and a leading businessman, Abdul Awal Mintoo are also being held.
Bangladesh's army backed interim-government has detained more than 170 senior politicians, bureaucrats and business leaders since taking over in January.
The interim government says it will hold elections only after reforming the country's political system.