Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has submitted its first investigative report against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of crimes against humanity during the July 2024 mass uprising.
Key Allegations Against Sheikh Hasina
The ICT investigation team has charged Hasina with:
- Incitement and provocation – Allegedly referring to protesters as descendants of Razakars, leading to violent crackdowns.
- Direct orders for suppression – Evidence includes phone call recordings where Hasina reportedly instructed state forces to use helicopters, drones, and APCs against unarmed protesters.
- Complicity in mass killings – The crackdown resulted in 1,400 deaths, according to UN reports.
Other Officials Named in the Report
The ICT report also implicates:
- Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal
- Ex-Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun
Legal Proceedings and Extradition Requests
Bangladesh’s interim government has banned Hasina’s party, the Awami League, pending the trial outcome. Authorities have also requested India to extradite Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024, but have yet to receive a response.
Political and International Reactions
The ICT’s findings have intensified political tensions, with analysts debating whether the charges reflect justice or political vendetta.
With Bangladesh’s legal system now handling one of its most high-profile cases, the world watches as the trial unfolds.