On Thursday, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of involvement in mass killings during violent protests earlier this year.
The protests, initially sparked by a student-led movement against public sector job quotas, escalated into one of the deadliest waves of unrest since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. Over 700 people lost their lives, and many others were injured in the violence.
Hasina fled to India on August 5, as the unrest intensified, and an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus was installed.
During tribunal proceedings, presided over by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, prosecutors sought arrest warrants for 50 individuals, including Hasina. Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam emphasized the necessity of detaining the accused to ensure the investigation’s progress.
“If the accused, who are extremely influential, are not arrested, it will be impossible to conduct the investigation,” Islam said.
To date, more than 60 complaints have been lodged against Hasina and other Awami League leaders, citing allegations of enforced disappearances, murder, and mass killings.
Awami League officials were unavailable for comment, as many senior members have either been arrested or gone into hiding. However, Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, told Reuters last month that his mother was prepared to face trial in Bangladesh, asserting, “My mother has done nothing wrong.”
Source: Reuters
