Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accused of crime against humanity

Dhaka, June 1 (IANS). Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been formally charged by the country’s International Crime Tribunal (ICT) for his alleged role in the violent nationwide uprising of July 2024. This was said in local media reports. The allegations made public on Sunday are a sign of a significant turn in Bangladesh political scenario. The trial against the former prime minister began with direct television coverage. Together with Hasina, former Home Secretary, Asdujman Khan Kamal, and former police inspector General Chaudhary Abdullah Al-Mamoon are also co-accused. The tribunal received a formal presentation of the allegations of prosecutors during the Sunday session, claiming that Hasina was the greatest responsibility to stimulate the widespread violence in the country during July and August last year. The leading daily ‘The Dhaka Tribune’ by Bangladesh said the investigation report presented on May 12 found that Hasina directly ordered the murders. Investigation claimed to have ordered government safety forces, its political party members and affiliate organizations to take cruel action against the growing wave of protest marches against governments. Bangladesh chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said during the high-profile television trial: “It was planned murders.” He offered video recording and coded communication as evidence, claiming that she confirmed the plot of Hasina of “a coordinated, widespread and systematic attack”. According to the prosecution, “Hasina, who worked as the head of government, took over the responsibility of the order for the violent actions taken by the security forces under her leadership during the highest level of turmoil.” Tajul Islam told the Tribunal: “He deployed all law enforcement agencies and members of his armed party to crush the uprising.” The development took place at a time when the interim government, which is currently leading Mohammad Yunus, has banned all the activities of Hasina’s party ‘Awami League’ under the Terrorism of Anti -Terrorism Act. Large -scale protests, which began at the beginning of 2024 with a performance of students who oppose a controversial work quota system, soon became a comprehensive movement that demanded the resignation of Hasina. After this, Hasina left the post and moved to New -Delhi, with heavy pressure until August 5. She lives in self -dispensation in Delhi. In October 2024, ICT issued an arrest order against him and formally requested India to deliver his extradition. -Ians bag/ecd