At the start of her trial on Sunday, Bangladeshi prosecutors claimed that Sheikh Hasina, the fugitive former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, planned a “systematic attack” that constituted crimes against humanity in an effort to put an end to the rebellion that overthrew her administration.
The United Nations estimates that Hasina’s government’s crackdown killed up to 1,400 people between July and August 2024.
Hasina, 77, rejected an extradition request to return to Dhaka and escaped by chopper to her old ally, India, after the student-led rebellion ended her 15-years tenure.
Former high-ranking officials associated with Hasina’s deposed administration and her now-banned Awami League party are being prosecuted by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
In his opening statement, ICT chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam informed the court, “After carefully examining the evidence, we concluded that it was a coordinated, widespread, and systematic attack.”
“The accused unleashed all law enforcement agencies and her armed party members to crush the uprising.”
“Abetment, incitement, complicity, facilitation, conspiracy, and failure to prevent mass murder during the July uprising” were among the five charges Islam brought against Hasina and two other officials.
Rejecting the accusations as politically driven, Hasina is still living in self-imposed exile in India.
In addition to Hasina, the case involves former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who is also on the run, and former Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who is in detention but did not show up for court on Sunday.
One of the main demands of a number of the political parties currently vying for power is the prosecution of senior officials from Hasina’s administration.
Elections are scheduled before June 2026, according to the interim government. State-owned Bangladesh Television is airing the hearing live. Islam, the prosecutor, promised an unbiased trial.
As part of their investigation, investigators have gathered audio and video clips, Hasina’s phone conversations, helicopter and drone movement records, and statements from crackdown victims.
According to the prosecution, Hasina gave security personnel orders to suppress the demonstrators through the police and interior ministry.
“They systematically committed murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhuman acts,” Islam stated.
Additionally, prosecutors claim that Hasina ordered security forces to launch fire from helicopters.
Eight police officers are charged with crimes against humanity in connection with the August 5 killings of six demonstrators, the day Hasina left the country.
Four of the cops are being tried in absentia, and four more are in custody. It was widely perceived as a tool used by Hasina to crush opponents and resulted in the execution of many high-profile political opponents.
Jamaat-e-Islami was outlawed by Hasina, who also took harsh measures against its leaders.
Source: Gulf News
