KUALA LUMPUR – Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has been charged with crimes against humanity in a Bangladesh tribunal over the killing of protesters during last year’s mass uprising against her rule.
Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 after her regime crumbled following weeks of protests, is being tried by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh.
The tribunal filed formal charges against Hasina and some of her associates on Sunday.
“The probe body has brought five charges against the mastermind of the crimes and superior commander Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun,” ICT chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam was quoted as saying by state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
About 1,500 people died in the student-led protests that ended the Awami League party’s 15-year uninterrupted rule.
“The investigation agency seized records of telephonic conversations of Sheikh Hasina, in which she repeatedly confirmed that she ordered all the state agencies to eliminate innocent civilians peacefully protesting for a fair demand, using helicopters, drones and APCs (armoured personnel carriers),” the chief prosecutor said.
Armed members of the Awami League and its associate bodies like the Jubo League and student wing Chhatra League are also accused of participating in the brutal crackdown.
“They slaughtered the agitating students, injured them and committed crimes against humanity,” Tajul Islam said.
Bangladesh has asked India to extradite the 77-year-old former leader.
The interim government headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has promised to hold general elections before June 2026. – June 2, 2025