Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
PTC News Desk: A Bangladesh court has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, escalating political tensions in the country. The court's decision, announced on Thursday, comes amid growing political turmoil in Bangladesh, as the exiled leader faces charges related to alleged human rights abuses during her time in power.
Sheikh Hasina, 77, who led Bangladesh for 15 years, fled to India in August following her ousting in a student-led uprising. Since her departure, she has remained in exile, with her last known location being a military airbase near New Delhi, India. The court has now ordered her arrest and requested that she be brought before the court on November 18 to face the charges.
The arrest warrant stems from accusations that Sheikh Hasina was involved in widespread human rights violations, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents during her tenure.
According to Mohammad Tajul Islam, the chief prosecutor of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Hasina played a key role in orchestrating "massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity" between July and August during the height of the protests against her rule. Islam described the court's decision as a "remarkable day" for Bangladesh.
Several cases are currently under investigation by the tribunal, with Hasina accused of overseeing the "mass murder" of protesters during her time in power. The tribunal, which was established by Hasina's own government in 2010 to investigate atrocities committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, has long been controversial. Many view it as a politically motivated tool used to target Hasina's rivals.
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Since her exile, Sheikh Hasina has not been seen in public, and her continued presence in India has strained relations between the two South Asian nations. The Bangladesh government has revoked her diplomatic passport and has been seeking her extradition to face criminal charges.
Bangladesh and India have a bilateral extradition treaty in place, which could allow for her return to Bangladesh to stand trial. However, there is a clause in the treaty that permits India to refuse extradition if the alleged offense is deemed to be of a "political character."
The political landscape in Bangladesh remains tense, with Sheikh Hasina's supporters calling the charges politically motivated, while her detractors demand accountability for the alleged abuses during her tenure. The arrest warrant marks a significant moment in Bangladesh's ongoing political turmoil, as the country navigates the aftermath of Hasina's controversial leadership.
As the November 18 court date approaches, all eyes will be on how the situation unfolds, particularly with regard to India’s stance on Sheikh Hasina’s potential extradition and the broader implications for political stability in Bangladesh.
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- With inputs from agencies
