President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has congratulated President-elect of Bangladesh Mohammad Shahabuddin.
"Please accept my sincere congratulations on your election as the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh," read the message.
"Our two countries have been maintaining traditionally friendly relations. I hope that your work during the presidential tenure will promote further development of constructive cooperation between Russia and Bangladesh in various fields.
I wish you success, sound health and well-being." Shahabuddin, a retired judge and former commissioner of Anti-Corruption Commission, was declared as president-elect of Bangladesh on February 13.
He will take charge after the incumbent President Abdul Hamid's tenure expired on April 24.
According to Article 123 of the Bangladesh constitution, the presidential election must be held 60 to 90 days before the expiry of each five-year term.
As per the constitution, Abdul Hamid cannot become president again as he was elected for two terms.
Born in Pabna in 1949, Shahabuddin is a lawyer by profession and a member of the Advisory Council of Awami League.
He completed a master of science at Rajshahi University in 1974 before obtaining an LLB degree from the same institution in 1975.
In 1971, he was the convenor of the Pabna chapter of Swadhin Bangla ChhatraSangramParishad, an alliance of students seeking independence.
Shahabuddin was imprisoned for several years following the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975.