The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and 10 others, including top officials from her administration, over allegations of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Hasina, who fled to India following a student-led uprising, is now the subject of an extradition request from Bangladesh’s interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
BY PC Bureau
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 10 others, including her former Defence Adviser Major General (Retd.) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and ex-Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed. The charges—rooted in allegations of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances—mark a dramatic escalation in the legal and political scrutiny surrounding Hasina’s 16-year reign, as reported by The Daily Star.
Chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, the tribunal directed authorities to apprehend Hasina and her co-accused by February 12. The prosecution’s petitions highlighted cases tied to alleged atrocities during her tenure, spurring this unprecedented move.<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>The International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and 11 others in enforced disappearance case. They are to be arrested and presented before the court by 12 February. A
An Exile Under Fire
At 77, Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since August 5, fleeing Bangladesh after a massive student-led uprising toppled her government. Now, she faces mounting legal battles, including accusations of crimes against humanity.
The International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and 11 others in enforced disappearance case. They are to be arrested and presented before the court by 12 February. A historic step toward justice!#JusticeForVictims#HumanRights pic.twitter.com/pLf4apQfWR
— Students Against Discrimination (@SAD___24) January 6, 2025
Meanwhile, Dhaka’s interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has officially requested India to extradite Hasina. “We have received the request from the Bangladeshi side,” confirmed Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, though further details remain sparse.
The Legacy of a Leader Under Siege
The allegations against Hasina stem from the July-August uprising that plunged the nation into chaos. The tribunal had previously issued warrants against her and 45 top Awami League leaders, intensifying the pressure on the embattled former Prime Minister.
With over 60 complaints of crimes against humanity and genocide filed against her, Hasina’s legacy teeters on the brink. Whether she returns to Bangladesh to face justice or continues her exile, the saga of Sheikh Hasina represents a turning point in the country’s political history.
