In brief
In a historic development, the International Crimes Tribunal, established by Hasina herself, is holding her accountable for the deaths of over a thousand demonstrators amidst political upheaval in the country.
On June 2, 2025, a special court in Bangladesh took a significant step by issuing an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This legal action comes as prosecutors accuse her of orchestrating the widespread violence that resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand protesters during the last months of her authoritarian governance. The International Crimes Tribunal, which Hasina established in 2010 to investigate past war crimes, has formally charged her along with several key associates for various crimes including incitement and conspiracy related to these mass killings.This arrest warrant represents the most serious allegations against Hasina to date, with chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam asserting that she incited systematic violence against peaceful demonstrations just before she fled to India in July. The former leader’s history of suppressing dissent has been well-documented, and this trial emerges amidst a tense political climate in Bangladesh characterized by prolonged electoral delays.The interim government that replaced Hasina, led by 84-year-old Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, is facing increasing pressure from opposition parties to expedite elections, scheduled for December. Yunus argues the need for additional time to reform election processes to ensure fairness. In a groundbreaking move, the proceedings of this court are being broadcast live for the first time in Bangladesh’s history, although all accused parties, including Hasina, were absent during the session.
