The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh on Thursday, issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is reportedly residing India currently.
The tribunal has accused Hasina of involvement in serious crimes related to widespread protests that took place earlier this year.
What began as a protest led by students opposing quotas in public sector jobs escalated into large-scale upheaval, marking one of the most chaotic episodes in Bangladesh’s recent history since its independence in 1971.
Reports indicate that over 700 people perished during these events, with many more sustaining injuries.
Hasina left for India on August 5 as tensions rose, leading to a temporary government led by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
During the tribunal session on Thursday, Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar reviewed the request to detain Hasina along with 49 others involved in the protests.
Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam highlighted the importance of arresting those responsible, stating, “We appealed to the court that if the accused, who are extremely influential, are not arrested, it will be impossible to conduct the investigation.”
The tribunal approved the request and ordered Hasina to return to court by November 18.