Dhaka
A Bangladesh court has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with 45 others, including senior leaders of her party, the Awami League on Thursday. This action stems from allegations of crimes against humanity linked to violent protests that erupted during a recent mass student movement.
The International Crimes Tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, ordered the arrests after prosecutors filed two petitions. The court has mandated that Hasina and the other accused be presented in court by November 18.
In August, Hasina fled to India after being overthrown by student-led protests. The interim government of Bangladesh has vowed to prosecute those accountable for the violence that resulted in over 230 deaths, contributing to a total of more than 600 casualties since the protests began in mid-July. The unrest was ignited by a controversial quota system for government jobs.
Since leaving Bangladesh, Hasina has not made any public appearances, with her last known location reported near New Delhi. Following her departure, calls for her extradition have surfaced in Bangladesh, although it remains unclear if India will comply. While both countries have an extradition treaty, it includes a clause that could exempt political offenses.
Hasina’s long tenure, spanning 15 years, has been criticized for human rights violations, including the suppression of political dissent. Ironically, her administration established the International Crimes Tribunal in 2010 to investigate war crimes from the 1971 independence war against Pakistan. The tribunal has faced accusations of bias and procedural flaws, further complicating the political landscape in Bangladesh.
