International Crimes Tribunal Issues Arrest Warrants for Bangladesh Ousted Leader Sheikh Hasina, Former Officials

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has issued arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Abdullah Al-Mamun over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. The tribunal accused Hasina of masterminding the violent crackdown on protesters, including incitement through a press conference where she referred to protesters as descendants of Razakars, and issuing direct orders to use helicopters, drones, and armored vehicles against civilians. The charges include five specific counts related to the mass killings, though some details remain confidential. Abdullah Al-Mamun is currently in custody, while Hasina and Asaduzzaman are reportedly in hiding, with the court scheduling the next hearing for June 16. The proceedings have been publicly broadcast on state television, highlighting the political significance and gravity of the case. These developments come amid broader scrutiny of Hasina's authoritarian methods and violent suppression of dissent during her final months in power.