The Bangladesh Supreme Court has ordered the government to suspend mass arrests made as part of an anti-crime drive.
The high court issued its temporary order on Wednesday one day after human rights groups filed a petition challenging the more than 7,000 arrests.
The court will hear that case Sunday, and will then decide whether to make the ban permanent.
The main opposition party says the arrests of thousands of its supporters during the drive constitute intimidation. The Awami League accuses the government of trying to suppress a party rally planned for October 3rd in Dhaka.
The Awami League -- which calls the government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia corrupt -- has held a series of protests since a grenade attack at a party event last month killed 21 people and injured hundreds.