Summary:
- Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and 11 others face arrest warrants from ICT over enforced disappearances during her 15-year rule, with a court appearance scheduled for February 12.
- This is Hasina’s second arrest warrant following her escape to India in August during a student-led uprising, with the first warrant issued for genocide charges in October.
- The prosecution alleges systematic state-sponsored disappearances involving multiple security agencies including RAB, DB, CTTC, and DGFI under Hasina’s administration.
- High-ranking officials named in the warrant include former defense adviser Maj Gen Tarique Ahmed Siddique and former IGP Benazir Ahmed, with accusations of rewarding those involved in disappearances.
A Bangladeshi court issued a second arrest warrant on Monday for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 others over their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances during her 15-year rule. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) ordered authorities to produce the accused before the court by February 12.
The warrant targets Hasina, who fled to India during an uprising in August, along with several high-ranking security officials including her former defense advisor Maj. Gen. (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam told the tribunal that “a horrible culture of forced disappearance had begun in the country during the Hasina regime” and that “year after year, people were detained in secret prisons and tortured and killed.”
The prosecution alleges that over 500 individuals were abducted by security forces and held in secret facilities during Hasina’s administration. A Commission of Inquiry into Forced Disappearances, established by the current transitional government, found evidence of Hasina’s involvement as an “instructor” in these disappearances.
This marks the second arrest warrant issued against the 77-year-old former leader, who previously faced charges of genocide related to the student-led uprising that ousted her government. The Yunus-led transitional government accuses her administration of killing over 1,500 people and injuring more than 22,000 during the uprising.
Bangladesh has formally requested Hasina’s extradition from India, submitting a diplomatic note on December 23. The government’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, emphasized that “She must face the trial” and indicated plans to build international pressure for her return.
Since the collapse of Hasina’s government, authorities have detained dozens of her allies for their alleged involvement in the crackdown on protesters. The former prime minister has repeatedly denied all allegations against her.
The ICT, ironically established during Hasina’s own administration to try crimes against humanity, is now being used to prosecute her and her associates. The tribunal has recorded three cases against her, with prosecutors claiming that members of various law enforcement agencies participated in disappearances in exchange for promotions and UN mission appointments.
Source: TBS News
