Staff Correspondent

Nobel laureate Professor Mohammad Yunus, who faced persecution during Sheikh Hasina's regime for alleged embezzlement, is now set to head the interim government in Bangladesh following her resignation and flight from the country. President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved Parliament on Tuesday and appointed the 84-year-old economist as the head of the interim government. Yunus, globally recognized as 'The Father of Microfinance,' is expected to return to Bangladesh from Paris on Thursday to assume his new role.

Yunus, who began his career as a professor at national and international universities, earned the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in women's empowerment through poverty alleviation and has received numerous national and international accolades over the years.

However, back in Bangladesh, he faced severe scrutiny from the Hasina government for over a decade, with authorities launching a series of investigations against him after she came to power in 2008. In 2011, Bangladeshi authorities reviewed the activities of the Grameen Bank and removed Yunus from his position as its founding managing director, citing violations of government retirement regulations.

Many believe Hasina's animosity towards Yunus stemmed from his announcement in 2007, during a military-backed government rule when Hasina was imprisoned, that he would form a political party. Although Yunus did not pursue this plan, he criticised Bangladeshi politicians for being solely interested in money.

"She destroyed the legacy of her father Bangabandhu Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh is liberated... We are a free country now," Yunus told an Indian portal from Paris after news broke of Hasina fleeing the country amid civil unrest.

With the regime change, the fate of over 150 other cases, including major corruption charges against Yunus, remains uncertain. Previously, these could have led to significant jail time if he were found guilty, although Yunus has denied all wrongdoing.

On Yunus' website, a quote greets visitors: "If you imagine, someday it will happen. If you don't imagine, it will never happen." For someone who dreamed of a poverty-free Bangladesh, Yunus likely never imagined that he would one day lead hi ..