Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant on Thursday for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing her alleged involvement in mass killings during violent protests that erupted earlier this year.
Initially peaceful student demonstrations started in Bangladesh in early July, triggered by the reinstatement of a quota system for the allocation of civil service positions.
Two weeks later, they were met with a violent crackdown by security forces, which according to UN estimates left more than 600 people dead. The deaths led to a nationwide uprising, which in early August forced Hasina to resign and leave for neighboring India, ending her 15 years in power.
The violence ultimately forced Hasina to flee to India on Aug. 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge.
The tribunal’s proceedings, presided over by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, saw prosecutors request arrest warrants for 50 individuals, including Hasina.
The son of the embattled former Prime Minister, Sajeeb Wazed, has said his mother is ready to face trial in Bangladesh,
