At least three more cases were filed against Sheikh Hasina at Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal On Wednesday. The complaints accuse the deposed prime minister of crimes against humanity and genocide in connection with recent anti-quota protests.
Two lawyers submitted the cases on behalf of the fathers of three students killed during the mass demonstrations against a controversial quota system in government jobs. The protests, which grew into a significant uprising, resulted in the removal of Hasina’s government on August 5, The Daily Star reported.
“We have registered the complaints, and thus the investigation of all these cases has started,” Ataur Rahman, deputy director (admin) of the probe agency was quoted as saying in the report.
Supreme Court lawyer Hujjatul Islam Khan filed a complaint on behalf of the father of Foisal Ahmed Shanta, who was killed on July 16 in Muradpur, Chattogram, under Panchlaish Police Station. The complaint alleges that Shanta’s death was “following the directive and involvement” of Sheikh Hasina and others.
The 76-year-old former prime minister, along with 76 other individuals including Awami League leaders and ministers, is accused in the complaint.
Another Supreme Court lawyer, Asaduzzaman, submitted a complaint on behalf of the father of Sheikh Shahriar Bin Matin, who was shot by police in Mirpur on July 18 and died two days later.
This complaint names Hasina and 49 other individuals, including top leaders from parties in the Awami League-led alliance, former ministers, and police members, as accused. Additionally, around 500 unnamed leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations are also implicated.
Asaduzzaman also filed a third complaint on behalf of the father of Asif Iqbal, a small trader from Sreepur Upazila in Magura, who was “shot dead by police” at the Mirpur-10 intersection on July 19. This complaint accuses Hasina and 71 others, with 500 unnamed Awami League leaders, activists, and police members also being named.
With these filings, the total number of cases against the 76-year-old Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal has reached seven. Six of these cases are related to killings during recent protests, while one concerns a 2013 Hefajat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel.
On Wednesday, nine additional complaints were lodged against Hasina, including eight murder cases related to deaths during recent unrest in Dhaka’s Rampura, Tejgaon, Mirpur, and Badda areas, as well as Narayanganj and Gazipur districts.
Hasina fled to India on August 5 following her resignation amid unprecedented anti-government student-led protests. The interim government that replaced her has announced plans to prosecute those involved in the recent violence at the International Crimes Tribunal. The interim government also appointed 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser.
(With PTI Inputs)