Dhaka, August 3: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday began the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in absentia over crimes against humanity linked to the deadly crackdown on the 2024 student-led protests.
Opening the proceedings, interim government-appointed Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam described Hasina as the “nucleus of all crimes” and urged the court to award her the maximum penalty.
The prosecution also named two of Hasina’s closest aides — former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullaah Al Mamun — as co-accused. Both are being tried alongside the former premier for their alleged roles in ordering and overseeing the violent suppression of protesters.
The charges stem from months of unrest in 2024, when student demonstrations over job quotas and governance reforms escalated into nationwide protests. Rights groups have documented widespread arrests, torture, and killings of demonstrators during that period.
The trial marks one of the most high-profile proceedings under the interim government, which came to power after Hasina’s resignation and flight from the country in August 2024.