Dhaka, Oct 18, 2024, Manir Hossain
The International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over mass killings during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and August in Bangladesh.
The tribunal issued the warrant on Thursday following the formal commencement of the judicial proceedings, ordering that Hasina must be produced before it by November 18. It also issued warrants for the arrest of Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and 44 others.
ICT Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud said two petitions had been submitted before the tribunal, the first for an arrest warrant for Hasina and the second for 45 others. The tribunal had accepted the two petitions and asked for a report within November 18, he added.
The tribunal's proceedings began shortly after 11:30am, led by the bench of Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal.
Earlier reports suggested that the prosecution would seek arrest warrants for 50 people, including Hasina, in connection with the atrocities committed during the July-August period.
So far more than 60 complaints of enforced disappearance, murder and mass killings have been filed at the International Crimes Tribunal against Hasina, other leaders of her Awami League party and the 14-party alliance, journalists and former top officials of law enforcement agencies.
On Sunday, Advocate Tajul Islam, the chief prosecutor of the tribunal, informed the media that arrest warrants and travel bans would be sought against those accused in the July mass killings within this week. He added that Interpol's assistance would be sought to bring back fugitives, including Hasina, who are currently abroad.