Bangladesh issues arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh issues arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka, Bangladesh - An international court in Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant for the former prime minister on Thursday Sheikh Hasina who is currently in India. The reason for the measures is their alleged involvement in mass killings during the violent protests, which erupted earlier this year.

Background of the protests

The protests, initially initiated by students, were directed against the quota for public jobs and escalated into the deadliest riots since Bangladesh's independence in 1971. The riots resulted in more than 700 deaths and numerous injuries.

Consequences for Sheikh Hasina

Ultimately, Hasina was forced to flee to India on August 5 while an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took control.

Legal proceedings and allegations

The proceedings of the tribunal, presided over by Judge Golam Mortuza Majumdar, resulted in the prosecution seeking arrest warrants for 50 people, including Hasina. Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told the press: “We have appealed to the court that without arresting the extremely influential defendants, it will be impossible to carry out the investigation.” He added: "In the interest of a thorough investigation, we have applied for an arrest warrant. The court has granted our request and ordered that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina be arrested and produced before the court by November 18."

Further legal actions and reactions

So far, over 60 complaints have been lodged against Hasina and other leaders of her Awami League party of kidnappings, murder and mass killings report. Reactions from Awami League party leaders are currently pending as many senior members have been arrested or have gone into hiding.

Statements from the family

Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed told Reuters in August that his mother was ready to stand trial in Bangladesh, insisting: "My mother has done nothing wrong."

Efforts at repatriation

Bangladesh's de facto foreign minister Mohammad Touhid Hossain said on Thursday that all efforts would be made to bring Hasina back from India within the one-month time frame set by the court. "The tribunal has given a month's time. We will definitely try to bring them back in the meantime. We will do whatever it takes," he told the press.