Bangladesh protests over govt's jailing of activists

Hundreds of opposition protesters are rallying in Bangladesh's capital to demand that authorities release 33 activists and find a missing opposition leader.

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was leading Sunday's protest in Dhaka. The 18-party opposition alliance accuses the government of manipulating courts and of abducting one of its leaders, Elias Ali. The government denies the allegations.

On Thursday, the alliance enforced a nationwide general strike protesting a court order rejecting bail for 33 jailed opposition leaders in an arson case. The opposition says the charge is politically motivated.

The opposition has also set a June 10 ultimatum for the government to restore the caretaker government system to oversee national elections due in 2014.