Dhaka: In a historic and dramatic turn in Bangladesh’s political and legal landscape, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has been formally indicted by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a case concerning crimes against humanity, reports claimed on Thursday.
The tribunal charged Hasina, along with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and ex-Police Chief Abdullah Al-Mamun, with five serious offences. These include murder, torture, abduction, and conspiracy linked to the violent suppression of anti-government demonstrations between July and August 2024.
The tribunal’s move comes nearly a year after the protests, which left hundreds dead and thousands injured across the country. Human rights organisations and a UN fact-finding mission have accused the previous government of using lethal force, with an estimated death toll of over 1,400.
Tried in Absentia
All three accused are being tried in absentia. Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan fled to India following the uprising. Meanwhile, former police chief Al-Mamun has pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the prosecution.
The court has set August 3 as the date for the prosecution to present its opening statements.
In a key piece of evidence, investigators cited leaked audio—first reported by the BBC—purportedly of Hasina instructing security forces to “use lethal weapons” and to “shoot wherever you find them,” referencing protesters. The tribunal noted this audio as an example of “direct, deliberate and premeditated command responsibility.”
International Pressure Mounts
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, has formally requested India to extradite Hasina. The Bangladesh government has said India’s continued silence on the matter is “no longer tenable.”
Earlier this month, Hasina was sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court over the same leaked audio. This marked her first conviction since fleeing the country.
In the wake of the indictments, the interim government has also banned Hasina’s Awami League party and announced major reforms aimed at restoring democratic governance.
Political and Diplomatic Fallout
The indictments have further polarised the political environment in Bangladesh, with Hasina’s supporters alleging political vengeance. The Awami League, which ruled Bangladesh for over 15 years until 2024, has accused the interim administration of undermining national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, diplomatic observers note that the extradition request to India could strain bilateral ties, especially with India maintaining a cautious stance on the legal proceedings and asylum status of Hasina.
The International Crimes Tribunal said it will pursue the case with or without the physical presence of the accused, under provisions that allow trials in absentia for crimes of this magnitude.
