Formal charges filed against Sheikh Hasina over July crimes against humanity
PARBATTA NEWS DESK
The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has filed formal charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a case related to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July–August period of political unrest.
The formal charge was submitted to the ICT Registrar’s office around noon on Sunday. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun have also been named as co-accused in the case.
According to the ICT investigation agency, a report was filed on 12 May outlining five specific charges against the accused.
ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said the investigation agency had brought charges against Sheikh Hasina in her capacity as the alleged “mastermind” and “superior commander” of the operations carried out during the unrest. The charges also apply to the former home minister and the former IGP.
Speaking to the media earlier, the Chief Prosecutor alleged that Sheikh Hasina incited violence through remarks made during a press briefing on 14 July, in which she referred to anti-discrimination protesters as “grandchildren of the Razakars.”
“It is alleged that law enforcement and intelligence agencies, along with members of the ruling party and its affiliated organisations, launched attacks on the protesters. These incidents resulted in killings, injuries, and alleged crimes against humanity,” Tajul Islam said.
He further claimed that recorded phone conversations, obtained during the investigation, indicated that the former prime minister had instructed security forces to suppress the protests using helicopters, drones, and armoured personnel carriers (APCs).
The remaining charges are reportedly linked to specific incidents that, according to the prosecution, were carried out on directives from Sheikh Hasina.
