Friday, 18 October, 2024
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others on two charges related to orchestrating mass killings aimed at suppressing the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The tribunal announced its decision on Thursday, citing the charges connected to the deaths that occurred during the mass uprising in July and August.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Golam Mortaza Majumder, presiding over the newly reconstituted tribunal, alongside Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Motihul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
The prosecution petitioned for arrest warrants to be issued over the two charges. After the hearing, the tribunal accepted the plea.
On Aug 5, Awami League chief Hasina resigned her premiership and fled to India in the face of a student-led mass movement. An arrest warrant has also been issued against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, who was also the road transport minister in the Hasina administration.
The tribunal has ordered them to appear in court by Nov 18.
In his opening speech to the tribunal, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam summarised the ‘crimes against humanity’ during the Awami League’s rule, including the killing of 74 people during the BDR mutiny, the ‘murders’ at the Shapla Chattar Hifazat e-Islami rally, extra-judicial killings by the Rapid Action Battalion, and the July-August ‘massacre’.
Hundreds of people were killed in violent clashes between protesters, the police and pro-government groups in July.
"Sheikh Hasina was at the helm of those who committed massacres, killings and crimes against humanity from July to August," Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said.
India and Bangladesh have a bilateral extradition treaty which would allow Hasina to return to face criminal trial.
However, a clause in that agreement says extradition can be refused if the offence is of a "political character."
He also said that he would seek the support of Interpol to bring back fugitives, including Hasina.
The 77-year-old ex-leader fled to India in August after being ousted by a student-led uprising.
The unrest began with demonstrations against quotas in public-sector jobs before spiralling into a wider rebellion against Hasina's government. Student protest groups say the violent crackdown that followed was carried out at Hasina's behest.
Hasina held the post of prime minister for 15 years. Her rule saw widespread human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of her political opponents.
Hundreds of people, most of them students, were killed in a violent crackdown on protesters
Following the huge uprising against her, Hasina resigned and fled to neighbouring India in early August. Her last official location was a military airbase near the capital, New Delhi.
The country's new caretaker government is led by 84-year-old Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, who has been tasked with restoring democratic institutions and paving the way for parliamentary elections.
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The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others on two charges related to orchestrating mass killings aimed at suppressing the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The tribunal announced its decision on Thursday, citing the charges connected to the deaths that occurred during the mass uprising in July and August.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Golam Mortaza Majumder, presiding over the newly reconstituted tribunal, alongside Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Motihul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
The prosecution petitioned for arrest warrants to be issued over the two charges. After the hearing, the tribunal accepted the plea.
On Aug 5, Awami League chief Hasina resigned her premiership and fled to India in the face of a student-led mass movement. An arrest warrant has also been issued against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, who was also the road transport minister in the Hasina administration.
The tribunal has ordered them to appear in court by Nov 18.
In his opening speech to the tribunal, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam summarised the ‘crimes against humanity’ during the Awami League’s rule, including the killing of 74 people during the BDR mutiny, the ‘murders’ at the Shapla Chattar Hifazat e-Islami rally, extra-judicial killings by the Rapid Action Battalion, and the July-August ‘massacre’.
Hundreds of people were killed in violent clashes between protesters, the police and pro-government groups in July.
"Sheikh Hasina was at the helm of those who committed massacres, killings and crimes against humanity from July to August," Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said.
India and Bangladesh have a bilateral extradition treaty which would allow Hasina to return to face criminal trial.
However, a clause in that agreement says extradition can be refused if the offence is of a "political character."
He also said that he would seek the support of Interpol to bring back fugitives, including Hasina.
The 77-year-old ex-leader fled to India in August after being ousted by a student-led uprising.
The unrest began with demonstrations against quotas in public-sector jobs before spiralling into a wider rebellion against Hasina's government. Student protest groups say the violent crackdown that followed was carried out at Hasina's behest.
Hasina held the post of prime minister for 15 years. Her rule saw widespread human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of her political opponents.
Hundreds of people, most of them students, were killed in a violent crackdown on protesters
Following the huge uprising against her, Hasina resigned and fled to neighbouring India in early August. Her last official location was a military airbase near the capital, New Delhi.
The country's new caretaker government is led by 84-year-old Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, who has been tasked with restoring democratic institutions and paving the way for parliamentary elections.
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