A court in Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who sought refuge in India in August following her removal amid widespread protests.
Bangladesh’s International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) has issued a warrant for Hasina, citing her alleged involvement in “crimes against humanity” linked to the demonstrations that resulted in the deaths of hundreds.
Hasina, who has led Bangladesh for over two decades, has been criticized by critics as an autocrat. Her administration is noted for its stringent measures against dissent.
Authorities have issued arrest warrants for an additional 45 individuals, among them former government ministers who have also left the country.
“The court has issued an order for the arrest of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, requiring her appearance in court on November 18,” stated Mohammad Tajul Islam, the chief prosecutor of the ICT, during a press briefing on Thursday.
“He stated that Sheikh Hasina was among those responsible for the massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity that occurred from July to August.”
In August, Bangladesh’s interim health ministry reported that over 1,000 individuals lost their lives during the violent unrest that erupted this summer. The turmoil followed student-led protests against government job quotas, which escalated into widespread demonstrations, marking this as the deadliest period in the nation’s history since its independence in 1971.
At 77 years old, Hasina has remained out of the public eye since her departure from Bangladesh. The last confirmed location of her presence was at a military airbase located near Delhi, the capital of India.
Initially anticipated to remain in India for a brief period, she has reportedly faced challenges in her efforts to seek asylum in other countries.
Her ongoing presence in India presents a significant challenge for Delhi as it navigates its relationship with the newly established interim government in Dhaka. The populace in Bangladesh is outraged regarding the shelter provided to her by India.
The interim government in Bangladesh has revoked her diplomatic passport. Additionally, a bilateral extradition treaty between the two nations could facilitate her return to confront criminal charges.
A treaty provision indicates that extradition could be denied if the offense is deemed to possess a “political character.”
The government of Hasina established the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in 2010 to examine the atrocities committed during the war with Pakistan, a conflict that ultimately led to Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
The United Nations, along with various rights organizations, has raised concerns regarding procedural deficiencies, leading to a perception that the initiative serves as a tool for Hasina to remove political adversaries.
The tribunal, newly formed by the interim government, commenced its proceedings on Thursday. Critics argue that the panel lacks judges with expertise in international law.
The court is currently investigating multiple cases that accuse Hasina of orchestrating what has been described as the “mass murder” of protesters.
Sajeeb Wazed, Hasina’s son, has stated that his mother is prepared to face a trial. “My mother has done nothing wrong,” he said in an interview with Reuters last month.
