31-05-2025
Anti-India Yunus makes another big move against Sheikh Hasina as Bangladeshi crimes tribunal to..., state-run TV will...
(File)
In another major move by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim regime targeting Sheikh Hasina, the International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh (ICT-BD) will formally hear a slew of charges against the deposed Prime Minister on Sunday, and the proceedings will be broadcasted live on the state-run BTV, in a first in the country's history. A first in Bangladesh's judicial history
Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power and forced to flee to India on August 5 last year after a massive student-led agitation, is facing multiple cases, including that of murder, corruption, and war crimes, in Bangladesh courts that have so far debarred photography or telecast of trial proceedings against her.
However, the decision of the International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh (ICT-BD) to allow live telecast of the trial proceedings against Hasina, who could face a death sentence if convicted of the serious charges against her, is poised to set a new precedent in Bangladesh's judicial history.
Earlier in February, the three-judge ICT-BD had ordered the investigation against Sheikh Hasina to be completed by April. 'The prosecution will submit formal charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the ICT-BD tomorrow in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising,' the state-run BSS said, according to news agency PTI. Tribunal to hear charges against other Awami League leaders
In a statement, ICT-BD prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told the media that proceedings would start at 9.30 am local time, and will be broadcasted live on Bangladesh Television (BTV)– the country's national broadcaster. 'The entire nation will witness the submission of the first formal charges to the tribunal against influential figures of the ousted Awami League government, including Sheikh Hasina,' Gazi said, adding that the move would 'ensure transparency in the judicial process'.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said the ICT-BD would simultaneously hear charges against former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, both in jail to stand trial. What is the International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh?
The International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh (ICT-BD) was original formed to prosecute Bangladeshi leaders, civil servants, army officials, and others, who had collaborated with the Pakistan Army during the 1971 Liberation War.
Notably, six top leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and one leader of the former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were hanged to death after they were convicted by the tribunal.
Earlier, the tribunal had issued an arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina, while interim government in Dhaka has sought her repatriation from India in a diplomatic note. New Delhi has only acknowledged receipt with no further comment. The fall of Sheikh Hasina
On August 5 2024, the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime was ousted from power after mass student protests led by the Students against Discrimination (SAD). Three days later, an Interim Government came to power in Dhaka with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus at his helm as Chief Advisor.
Hasina fled to India, while most leaders and officials of her Awami League party and government, were arrested to face serious charges like mass murder, genocide, corruption, among others, primarily to calm the protests who demanded strict action against the Hasina regime for allegedly killing hundreds, including civilians during the protest.
According to a UN rights office report some 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 last year as violence continued even after the fall of the past regime.
(With PTI inputs)
