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Bangladesh Court Issues Second Arrest Warrant for Exiled Leader Sheikh Hasina
A Bangladeshi court has issued a second arrest warrant for exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of involvement in enforced disappearances during her rule.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-06
Bangladesh Court Issues Second Arrest Warrant for Exiled Leader Sheikh Hasina

A Bangladeshi court has issued a second arrest warrant for exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of involvement in enforced disappearances during her controversial 15-year tenure. The arrest warrant, announced on Monday by chief prosecutor Tajul Islam, relates to the abduction of more than 500 individuals allegedly carried out by Bangladeshi security forces under Hasina's government. Many of these individuals were reportedly detained in secret facilities for extended periods of time.

The 77-year-old leader, who fled to India in August following her ousting by a student-led revolution, has already faced an arrest warrant in relation to charges of crimes against humanity. During her administration, widespread human rights violations were reported, including the mass detention, extrajudicial killings, and the forced disappearances of political opponents.

The new arrest warrant, issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), targets Hasina and 11 others, including her military advisor, military personnel, and law enforcement officials, who are accused of being complicit in the disappearances. Victims have begun coming forward with harrowing accounts of their experiences, shedding light on the grim nature of the alleged operations.

Since Hasina’s fall from power, her allies have been arrested, many facing accusations of being involved in a violent police crackdown that left over 700 people dead. The Bangladeshi government has demanded Hasina’s return from India, but the Indian authorities have yet to respond to this request.

Despite the new arrest warrant, prosecutor Tajul Islam emphasized that the trial would proceed with full adherence to legal due process. He assured reporters that while the court aims to conclude the trial as soon as possible, it would not rush to a verdict without following the necessary legal procedures.

Sheikh Hasina’s rule, which began in 2009, has been marked by both economic growth and significant political turmoil, with allegations of severe repression of opposition forces. The latest developments are seen as part of a broader push for accountability regarding the abuses of power during her administration.

 
Tagged:

SheikhHasina

EnforcedDisappearances

BangladeshPolitics

HumanRightsAbuses
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