- By Aditya Jha
- Thu, 17 Oct 2024 05:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A Bangladeshi court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others over mass killings of protestors during the massive student protest in the country in July and August. Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal, informed that Hasina has been asked to appear in court on November 18.
"The court has ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and for her to appear in court on November 18," Islam said, adding, "Sheikh Hasina was at the helm of those who committed massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity from July to August."
Sheikh Hasina is accused of crimes against humanity during her 15-year rule. The charges include the mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents, reported by The Daily Star.
The order from ICT came after the prosecution filed two petitions, seeking the arrest of Sheikh Hasina and her party colleagues, Tajul Islam said, as reported by The Daily Star. Along with Hasina, the authorities have been asked to produce former ministers Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Hasan Mahmud and Anisul Huq before the court by November 18.
Bangladesh's interim government decided to revoke the diplomatic passport of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other members of the former cabinet. Over 230 people were killed in the incidents of violence after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.
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Tajul Islam has also informed that Interpol's assistance would be sought to bring back fugitives, including Hasina, as there are too many cases to be solved. Sheikh Hasina has not been seen publicly since fleeing Bangladesh. She was believed to be at a military airbase near India's capital, New Delhi.
As her regime collapsed, several of the ministers and senior party leaders were arrested. A caretaker government was formed in Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. While addressing a crowd, Yunus claimed that Hasina exploited a larger section of Bangladesh and harmed the nation. He also suggested Hasina come back to her soil and apologise for her wrongdoings.