Bangladesh Court Begins Genocide Probe Against Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has initiated an investigation against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and nine others on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity during the student protests against her government. The incidents under investigation took place between July 15 and August 5.

A formal complaint was lodged on Wednesday with the ICT’s investigation agency against Hasina, Awami League General Secretary and former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and several other senior party figures. Gazi MH Tamim, the complainant’s lawyer, confirmed that the probe commenced on Wednesday night, as reported by The Dhaka Tribune.

The petition, filed by Bulbul Kabir, the father of Arif Ahmed Siam—a Class IX student killed during the anti-government protests—alleges that Hasina and her associates orchestrated a violent crackdown on the student-led movement, resulting in numerous deaths and severe human rights abuses.

Concurrently, separate legal actions have been taken against Hasina, including a case of enforced disappearance related to a lawyer’s kidnapping in 2015 and a murder case stemming from recent violent clashes.

The student-led protests, initially demanding reforms in government job quotas, escalated into a movement that ultimately led to the fall of Hasina’s government on August 5. Over 560 deaths were reported during the three weeks of protests.

Following Hasina’s resignation, a caretaker government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has taken charge, pledging to implement reforms and hold accountable those involved in the recent unrest.