The International Criminal Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of genocide during the anti-discrimination student movement that took place between July and August. The arrest warrant was issued on Thursday, October 17, as the tribunal proceedings commenced.
Sheikh Hasina has been named the primary accused in 54 out of the 56 charges brought before the tribunal. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam stated that the court has ordered Sheikh Hasina’s arrest and appearance before the tribunal by November 18. Along with Sheikh Hasina, the prosecution team has issued arrest warrants against 50 others in connection with the genocide charges.
During the tribunal’s opening statement, several crimes committed during Awami League’s rule were highlighted, including the killing of 74 people during the BDR mutiny, the crackdown on Hefazat’s protest at Shapla Chattar, extrajudicial killings by RAB, and the July-August genocide.
It is noteworthy that the Awami League government established the International Crimes Tribunal in 2010 to bring justice to those accused of war crimes during the 1971 liberation war. Several leaders from Jamaat and BNP were sentenced and executed as a result of these trials.
This new turn of events marks a significant moment in Bangladesh’s political and judicial history.
