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Arab Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Controversial ‘License To Kill 227' Quote Costs Hasina Her Freedom
DHAKA, July 3: Bangladesh's ousted and self-exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to six months in prison by the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a contempt of court case, a senior prosecutor confirmed on Wednesday. The verdict marks the first sentencing against Hasina, who fled to India following violent student-led protests in August that led to the collapse of her government. Hasina has faced several legal cases since her departure, but until now had not been convicted in any of them. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam told reporters that Shakil Akand Bulbul, a prominent figure in the now-banned student wing of Hasina's Awami League party, Chhatra League, was also sentenced to two months in prison in the same case. The ruling was delivered in absentia by a three-member panel of the ICT, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder. The court stated that the sentences will come into effect once the individuals are either arrested or surrender to authorities. The contempt charges relate to a leaked audio recording in which Hasina is allegedly heard saying, 'There are 227 cases against me, so I now have a license to kill 227 people.' A government forensic investigation later confirmed the authenticity of the recording. Ironically, the ICT was established in 2010 during Hasina's own tenure to prosecute crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence. The current interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to hold former officials accountable for human rights abuses and corruption, including the brutal suppression of last July's nationwide protests that ultimately forced Hasina from power. The tribunal has issued three arrest warrants for Hasina to date, including charges related to crimes against humanity stemming from the July violence. The Awami League, which Hasina led for decades, remains banned under the transitional regime, while legal proceedings against its members continue. Hasina's supporters claim the charges are politically motivated, aimed at sidelining the former premier. However, the interim administration argues that the prosecutions are a necessary step toward restoring justice and rebuilding public trust in Bangladesh's democratic institutions.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Bangladesh orders fugitive ex-leader Hasina to return to face trial
FILE PHOTO: Students chant slogans near a vandalised mural of Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during a protest demanding accountability and trial against Hasina, near Dhaka University in the capital on August 12, 2024. - AFP DHAKA: Bangladesh's war crimes court ordered fugitive ex-leader Sheikh Hasina on Monday (June 16) to return to face trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity. Hasina, 77, fled Dhaka by helicopter to India in August 2024 at the culmination of a student-led mass uprising. She has defied an extradition order to return to Bangladesh. Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024 when Hasina's government launched a crackdown in a failed bid to cling to power, according to the United Nations. Hasina and former senior figures connected to her ousted government and her now-banned party, the Awami League, are being prosecuted in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal. Prosecutors have filed five charges against Hasina, including abetment, incitement, complicity, facilitation, conspiracy and failure to prevent mass murder - charges that amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. "The court directed the prosecution team to issue a notice as soon as possible summoning them to appear before the court," chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said on Monday. The trial will resume on June 24 without her if she fails to return. The prosecution argues that Hasina ordered security forces, through directives from the interior ministry and police, to crush the protests. Hasina is on trial with two other officials. One of them, former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who faces similar charges, is also a fugitive. The second, ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, is in custody and was in court on Monday. The prosecution of senior figures from Hasina's government is a key demand of several of the political parties now jostling for power. The interim government has said it will hold elections in April 2026, although some parties are pushing for an earlier vote. - AFP
Gulf Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Bangladesh orders fugitive former PM Hasina to return to face trial
Bangladesh's war crimes court ordered fugitive former PM Sheikh Hasina on Monday to return to face trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity. Hasina, 77, fled Dhaka by helicopter to India in August 2024 at the culmination of a student-led mass uprising. She has defied an extradition order to return to Bangladesh. Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024 when Hasina's government launched a crackdown in a failed bid to cling to power, according to the United Nations. Hasina and former senior figures connected to her ousted government and her now-banned party, the Awami League, are being prosecuted in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Prosecutors have filed five charges against Hasina, including abetment, incitement, complicity, facilitation, conspiracy and failure to prevent mass murder — charges that amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. "The court directed the prosecution team to issue a notice as soon as possible summoning them to appear before the court," chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said on Monday. The trial will resume on June 24 without her if she fails to return. The prosecution argues that Hasina ordered security forces, through directives from the interior ministry and police, to crush the protests. Hasina is on trial with two other officials. One of them, former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who faces similar charges, is also a fugitive. The second, ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, is in custody and was in court on Monday. The prosecution of senior figures from Hasina's government is a key demand of several of the political parties now jostling for power. The interim government has said it will hold elections in April 2026, although some parties are pushing for an earlier vote. Agence France-Presse
Free Malaysia Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Bangladesh orders fugitive ex-leader to return to face trial
Sheikh Hasina has defied an extradition order to return to Bangladesh. (AFP pic) DHAKA : Bangladesh's war crimes court ordered fugitive ex-leader Sheikh Hasina today to return to face trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity. Hasina, 77, fled Dhaka by helicopter to India in August 2024 at the culmination of a student-led mass uprising. She has defied an extradition order to return to Bangladesh. Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024 when Hasina's government launched a crackdown in a failed bid to cling to power, according to the United Nations. Hasina and former senior figures connected to her ousted government and her now-banned party, the Awami League, are being prosecuted in Bangladesh's international crimes tribunal (ICT). Prosecutors have filed five charges against Hasina, including abetment, incitement, complicity, facilitation, conspiracy and failure to prevent mass murder – charges that amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. 'The court directed the prosecution team to issue a notice as soon as possible summoning them to appear before the court,' chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said today. The trial will resume on June 24 without her if she fails to return. The prosecution argues that Hasina ordered security forces, through directives from the interior ministry and police, to crush the protests. Hasina is on trial with two other officials. One of them, former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who faces similar charges, is also a fugitive. The second, ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, is in custody and was in court today. The prosecution of senior figures from Hasina's government is a key demand of several of the political parties now jostling for power. The interim government has said it will hold elections in April 2026, although some parties are pushing for an earlier vote.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bangladesh orders fugitive ex-leader Hasina to return to face trial
Bangladesh's war crimes court ordered fugitive ex-leader Sheikh Hasina on Monday (June 16, 2025) to return to face trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity. Ms. Hasina (77) fled Dhaka by helicopter to India in August 2024 at the culmination of a student-led mass uprising. She has defied an extradition order to return to Bangladesh. Up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024 when Hasina's government launched a crackdown in a failed bid to cling to power, according to the United Nations. Ms. Hasina and former senior figures connected to her ousted government and her now-banned party, the Awami League, are being prosecuted in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Prosecutors have filed five charges against Hasina, including abetment, incitement, complicity, facilitation, conspiracy and failure to prevent mass murder — charges that amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. Also read: The Sheikh Hasina extradition demand, India's options 'The court directed the prosecution team to issue a notice as soon as possible, summoning them to appear before the court,' chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said on Monday (June 16, 2025). The trial will resume on June 24 without her if she fails to return. The prosecution argues that Hasina ordered security forces, through directives from the interior ministry and police, to crush the protests. Ms. Hasina is on trial with two other officials. One of them, former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who faces similar charges, is also a fugitive. The second, ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, is in custody and was in court on Monday (June 16, 2025). The prosecution of senior figures from Hasina's government is a key demand of several of the political parties now jostling for power. The interim government has said it will hold elections in April 2026, although some parties are pushing for an earlier vote.
