Dhaka, Bangladesh – Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid widespread protests in August 2024, has been named as the primary suspect in the deaths of 848 people during last year’s anti-government uprising. The charges were filed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday at the International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic court established by Hasina’s own administration to address crimes against humanity.
The tribunal has issued two arrest warrants for Hasina, accusing her of orchestrating mass killings and forced disappearances of political opponents. Since Hasina is currently outside Bangladesh, the court has requested Interpol to issue a red notice for her arrest.
Md Salauddin Khan, the BNP’s case data and coordination chief, stated that the complaint holds Hasina responsible for the deaths of 848 BNP leaders and activists during the July-August 2024 protests. The charges also extend to key figures from Hasina’s former government, including ministers of home affairs, law, and information, as well as senior police officials.
The BNP has submitted extensive evidence to the tribunal, including audio recordings, videos, and copies of 84 case reports. Khan emphasized that the party is seeking justice for the victims of what they describe as state-sponsored violence.
This development follows a damning 114-page report by the United Nations human rights office, which estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed during the 2024 protests, including 12% children, with over 22,000 injured. The report accused Hasina’s Awami League government, along with security and intelligence forces, of committing severe human rights violations, potentially amounting to crimes against humanity.
The protests, initially led by students, escalated into a nationwide uprising against Hasina’s government, culminating in her departure from the country. On August 8, 2024, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership of a transitional government, marking a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
As the International Crimes Tribunal moves forward with the case, the charges against Hasina and her associates have drawn global attention, raising questions about accountability and justice in one of Bangladesh’s most turbulent periods.
