Bangladesh Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Bangladesh Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

A court in Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, charging her with “crimes against humanity.” The 77-year-old politician fled to India in August after being overthrown amid a student-led uprising that escalated into violent protests.

According to the chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, the warrant requires Hasina to appear in court on November 18. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam emphasized that Hasina was responsible for orchestrating a series of violent acts, including massacres and killings, during a period of unrest that spanned from July to August. The unrest resulted in the deaths of hundreds as clashes erupted between protesters, police, and pro-government factions. Sheikh Hasina, who served as prime minister for 15 years, has faced accusations of human rights violations throughout her tenure. Reports indicate that her government was involved in numerous extrajudicial killings of political adversaries, raising significant concerns about the rule of law and civil liberties in Bangladesh.

Following widespread protests against her administration, Hasina resigned and sought refuge in India, with her last known location reported to be a military airbase near New Delhi. The political landscape in Bangladesh has since shifted, with an 84-year-old Nobel Laureate, Muhammad Yunus, taking the helm of a new caretaker government. Yunus has been tasked with reinstating democratic norms and preparing for upcoming parliamentary elections, as the country grapples with the aftermath of Hasina’s controversial rule and the current political turmoil. The situation remains tense as the nation anticipates further developments in the lead-up to the court date for Hasina.

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