Bangladesh’s International Criminal Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country after mass anti-government protests, Asian media reported.
Chief Public Prosecutor Tajul Islam said Hasina should be arrested and produced before the court on November 18. He also said the former Prime Minister “led those who committed mass killings and crimes against humanity from July to August.” In addition to the former premier, arrest warrants have been issued for 44 others, including members of the former ruling Awami League party.
The protests, which began as a student movement against public sector job quotas, turned into the bloodiest riots since the country’s independence in 1971, killing more than 700 people and injuring many.
Hasina eventually fled to India on August 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus took power. During the tribunal session, presided over by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, prosecutors sought arrest warrants for 50 people, including Hasina.
More than 60 cases of enforced disappearance, murder and massacre have been filed against Hasina and other leaders of her Awami League party so far.
Awami League party leaders were not immediately available for comment as many senior members have been arrested or are in hiding. However, Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, told Reuters last month that his mother was willing to stand trial in Bangladesh, adding:
“My mother has done nothing wrong.”
