Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Faces Crimes Against Humanity Charges
Charges Against Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been indicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the protests against her administration in July and August, as reported by a local news outlet.
The charges assert that Hasina incited mass killings during the demonstrations opposing her Awami League government.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, who presented the case to the tribunal, described the violence against protesters as a "coordinated, widespread, and systematic attack."
According to the prosecutor, Hasina mobilized law enforcement and armed party members to suppress the protests.
A United Nations report released on February 12 highlighted that the Hasina administration, along with security and intelligence agencies, engaged in serious human rights violations during the unrest.
The report indicated that out of approximately 1,400 fatalities and thousands of injuries reported between July 1 and August 15, most victims were shot by security forces, with a significant percentage being children.
Amid escalating student-led protests, Hasina was ousted from power and fled to India on August 5, ending her 16-year tenure as Prime Minister.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership of the interim government shortly after, and since then, over 51 cases have been filed against Hasina, including 42 murder charges, with two arrest warrants issued.
On May 10, the Bangladeshi government prohibited all activities of the Awami League, including its online presence, under anti-terrorism legislation.
Hasina has refuted the allegations, claiming she is a victim of political persecution.
In December, the interim government formally requested Hasina's extradition from India through a diplomatic note, which India acknowledged receiving.
In March, Yunus revealed that Dhaka had sent formal requests to New Delhi for Hasina's extradition but had not received any official reply.