Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant for former PM Sheikh Hasina
A local court in Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in exile in India since her ousting during a student-led uprising in August.
The warrant was issued on Thursday by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in its first session since being reorganized by the new interim government in Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus.
"The court has... ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and to produce her in court on November 18," said Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal.
The tribunal has lodged more than 60 complaints against Hasina, her Awami League party, various party leaders, and former high-ranking law enforcement officials, citing serious allegations that encompass forced disappearances, murders, and genocide.
The ICT’s chief prosecutor had previously said Hasina is accused of ruling the nation with an iron fist, overseeing the “massacres” that took place.
“As she has been made the main accused of the massacres in Bangladesh, we will try to legally bring her back to Bangladesh to face trial,” Islam said in September.
Yunus is making efforts to bring Hasina back to the country to face charges over a series of alleged violent clampdowns on student-led demonstrations that escalated into mass anti-government protests before her self-imposed exile to neighboring India.
Hasina fled to India following weeks of deadly clashes in which more than 600 people were reportedly killed in the crackdown in July and August of this year, leading up to her escape in a military helicopter on August 5.
She has blamed the United States for her ouster, saying Washington attempted to remove her from power after she refused to cede control of Saint Martin's island, which would have allowed the US to hold "sway over the Bay of Bengal."
Her stay in India since then has soured relations between New Delhi and Dhaka, which is demanding her return to face trial.
Dhaka has canceled her diplomatic passport. A bilateral extradition treaty between the countries allows for her return to stand trial for criminal charges.
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