Ex-Bangladesh dictator Ershad threatens to commit suicide

Former military dictator of Bangladesh, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, has threatened to kill himself.

The move from Ershad comes after security forces besieged his home following his decision to boycott next month's elections.

According to Dawn News, Ershad told a local television crew during an interview inside his home that he has loaded four pistols and told the government that if they play any tricks with him, he would kill himself.

Ershad said that he would die before the RAB (Rapid Action Battalion).

The 83-year-old said that he would not take part in the January 5 polls, undermining the credibility of a contest, which is also being boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, the report said.

Despite Ershad's boycott his Jatiya party and the BNP, the ruling Awami League have insisted that the elections will go ahead as scheduled on January 5.