Bangladesh Court Issues Second Arrest Warrant for Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka:  A court in Bangladesh has issued a 2nd arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of involvement in enforced disappearances during her tenure, which was confirmed by the chief prosecutor on Monday. An arrest warrant for her was already being issued on charges of crimes against humanity.  

Tajul Islam, the chief prosecutor of the domestic International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), has said that a new warrant had been issued for Sheikh Hasina, along with 11 others, including her military adviser, armed forces members, and other law enforcement officials. He elaborated that the court aimed to proceed with the trial, saying, "We want to ensure the trial concludes as soon as possible, but that doesn't mean we will break the law or impose a verdict without due process."

During her rule, over 500 people were reportedly kidnapped by Bangladeshi security forces, with some held in secret detention for many years. Since Hasina's removal, many victims have started coming forward with saddening accounts of their suffering, according to a report. The 77-year-old Hasina fled to India on August 5 after her rule was overthrown by a student-led uprising. In the month of December, Bangladesh requested India to extradite her for trial, but India has yet to respond.

Since her regime's collapse, several of her supporters have been arrested, facing accusations of involvement in a police crackdown that led to over 700 deaths during the traumatizing period that followed her ousting after 15 years of authoritarian rule.

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