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Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Bangladesh protest victim gives evidence at ex-PM Hasina trial
DHAKA: The first witness in the trial of Bangladesh's fugitive ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina gave evidence on Sunday, a man shot in the face during protests that toppled her last year. Hasina, 77, who has defied court orders to return from India to attend her trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity, is accused of ordering a deadly crackdown in a failed bid to crush the student-led uprising. Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024, according to the United Nations. The first witness, among the 11 cases that the prosecution is expected to present to the court, was Khokon Chandra Barman, whose story reflects the violence of the protests. The 23-year-old wears a mask to conceal his face, which was ripped apart by gunshot during the culmination of the protests on August 5, 2024, the same day that Hasina fled Dhaka by helicopter. 'I want justice for the ordeal I've been going through, and for my fellow protesters who sacrificed their lives,' he told the court. Barman lost his left eye, while his right eye was damaged, as well as his lips, nose and teeth. A video showing Barman's blood-covered face was played in court, with the opening statements aired on the state-run broadcaster. Prosecutors have filed five charges against Hasina — including failure to prevent mass murder — which amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. 'Sheikh Hasina was the nucleus around whom all the crimes committed during the July-August uprising revolved,' chief prosecutor Tajul Islam told the court on Sunday. Hasina is on trial in absentia alongside two other accused. One, her former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, is also a fugitive. The other, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the former inspector general of police, is in custody. He has pleaded guilty. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman said he wanted a 'fair trial,' speaking to reporters outside the court. 'People were killed and maimed — we demand the highest punishment for the crimes committed,' Asaduzzaman said. Amir Hossain, the state-appointed lawyer for Hasina, noted that Barman was shot during the chaotic final day of the weeks-long protests. He pointed out that several police officers were also killed in clashes with protesters and it was 'unclear who actually shot Barman.' Hossain said he was not in contact with Hasina, who has refused to accept the authority of the court. The trial continues.
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan, Iran sign agreements eyeing $10 billion trade, stress cooperation to eliminate militancy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have signed agreements in the fields of politics, economy, culture and other vital sectors, Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday, as Tehran and Islamabad eye raising their bilateral trade to $10 billion. Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan's capital on Saturday on a two-day state visit to increase bilateral trade and strengthen relations between the two countries. Pakistan and Iran have remained at odds over instability along their shared, porous border that even led to a missile exchange between them last year. Both countries, however, were quick to move to ease tensions. Iran and Pakistan have attempted to forge closer economic and investment ties through border markets and trade links in recent years. 'My deep belief is that we can easily, in a short time, increase the volume of our trade relations from the current $3 billion to the projected goal of $10 billion,' Pezeshkian told reporters during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and high-level delegations from both countries in attendance. 'We reached good agreements in the political, economic, commercial, and cultural fields during this visit,' he said. The Iranian president said Islamabad and Tehran had signed 'important documents' that would facilitate and promote bilateral ties in commercial, cultural, tourism, transportation and scientific and educational exchanges between the two nations. 'The development of transit routes, railroad and sea routes, the development and equipping of border markets facilitating trade and the establishment of joint free economic zones, are serious needs in the relations between the two countries,' Pezeshkian noted. 'And we had constructive discussions on those issues.' Pakistan and Iran routinely trade blame for not tackling militancy in their shared border areas. The Iranian president said the issue had come up in talks between both sides. 'Also, given the threats from terrorist groups in border areas, increasing cooperation between the two countries to ensure border security and the peace and comfort of citizens in border cities was emphasized,' he said. The Iranian president condemned Israel for its military operations in Palestine, Syria and other areas of the Middle East, calling for the cessation of hostilities in Gaza. Sharif welcomed the Iranian president to Pakistan and said the two sides held fruitful discussions on culture, religion, history and geography. He condemned Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities in June, saying there was no justification for the attacks. Both leaders also called for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. The Pakistani prime minister hoped the memoranda of understanding signed between Pakistan and Iran would 'soon' convert into agreements. 'Mr. President, today we have signed many MoUs and it is my prayer and your wish that these MoUs become agreements very soon,' Sharif said. 'And it is your wish and mine too that we achieve the target of $10 billion in trade as soon as possible,' he added. He said Iran and Pakistan had the same stance when it came to 'terrorism,' adding that both countries were opposed to it. Sharif vowed that Pakistan and Iran, through partnership and cooperation, would take steps against militants to ensure peace in their border areas.
Al Arabiya
9 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Saudi condemns recurring ‘provocative practices' by Israeli officials against Al-Aqsa
Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that it denounced 'with the strongest terms' Israeli officials' continued 'provocative practices' against Al-Aqsa Mosque. Developing
