Bangladesh tribunal commences trial of deposed PM Hasina over crimes towards humanity

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday (August 3, 2025) commenced the trial of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in absentia over crimes towards humanity associated to the violent suppression of the 2024 student-led protests.

The interim government-appointed Chief Prosecutor, Tajul Islam, in his opening assertion, described Ms. Hasina because the “nucleus of all crimes” and known as for the utmost penalty.

The prosecution additionally named Ms. Hasina’s two high aides — former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullaah Al Mamun — because the co-accused within the case.

The ICT commenced the proceedings towards Ms. Hasina on a number of prices, with the key one being killings and tortures to tame final yr’s Students Against Discrimination (SAD)-led violent road marketing campaign that ultimately toppled her Awami League authorities on August 5, 2024.

While Ms. Hasina and Mr. Kamal are being tried in absentia, Mr. Mamun is in custody and has agreed to be the “approver” within the case.

The prosecution mentioned it might current testimonies from people injured throughout the protests and eyewitnesses to the violence within the coming days.

Ms. Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 final yr amid escalating unrest and is at present residing in India.

Former Home Minister Kamal reportedly too later took refuge within the neighbouring nation.

The interim authorities led by Muhammad Yunus has sought Ms. Hasina’s extradition, however India has but to answer the request.

The ICT, initially established to prosecute warfare crimes from Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, indicted Ms. Hasina, Mr. Kamal, and Mr. Mamun on July 10.

Last month, Ms. Hasina was additionally sentenced to 6 months in jail in absentia in a contempt of courtroom case by the ICT.

It marked the primary time that the 77-year-old Awami League chief has been sentenced in any case since she left workplace in August final yr.

According to a U.N. rights workplace report, as much as 1,400 individuals have been killed between July 15 and August 15 final yr as Hasina’s authorities ordered a safety crackdown on protesters.