August 4, 2025

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has begun its trial against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in absentia, concerning alleged crimes against humanity linked to the violent crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. The prosecution portrayed Hasina as the core of the violations, calling for the maximum penalty in their opening statements. Alongside Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullaah Al Mamun have also been named as co-accused. While Kamal and Hasina are being judged in their absence, Mamun remains in custody and has agreed to act as the 'approver' in the case. The charges faced by Hasina include serious allegations such as killings and torture during the protests led by the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, which caused significant unrest and ultimately led to the fall of her Awami League government on August 5, 2024. The prosecution aims to provide testimonies from individuals who suffered during the protests and eyewitnesses of the violence in the following days. Following the unrest, Hasina fled Bangladesh and is currently living in India, where she reportedly sought refuge. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has requested her extradition from India, which has not yet responded to this request. The ICT, responsible for addressing war crimes experienced during the country's 1971 Liberation War, formally indicted Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun on July 10, following a lengthy investigation into the allegations. Notably, just last month, Hasina was handed a six-month prison sentence in absentia for contempt of court by the ICT—the first sentence she has faced since leaving office amid the political turmoil in August of last year. Reports from UN human rights offices allege that during the crackdown from July 15 to August 15 last year, up to 1,400 lives were claimed as the government undertook extensive measures against demonstrators. This trial marks a significant moment in Bangladesh's political landscape, as many view it as a pivotal step towards accountability for actions taken during Hasina's administration, set against the backdrop of rising demands for justice and human rights.

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Tags: Sheikh hasina, Bangladesh, International crimes tribunal, Student protests, Human rights,