A special tribunal in Dhaka has issued an arrest warrant for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 others in connection with cases of enforced disappearances. This development adds a dramatic turn to the political turmoil in Bangladesh, where the former leader has emerged as a strong critic of the interim government.
Tribunal’s Decision and Scope
The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh (ICT-BD), led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, issued the warrant on Monday.
Among those implicated are former Defense Advisor Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed. The next hearing is scheduled for February 12.
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Political and Legal Fallout
Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh earlier this year and sought refuge in India, has been a vocal critic of the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently sent a diplomatic note to India, requesting her extradition. New Delhi acknowledged receipt of the request but has yet to act on it.
Concerns Over Religious Freedom and Violence
The former prime minister has highlighted recent incidents of violence, including the arrest of Sanatan religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and the destruction of a temple in Chittagong. She also pointed to attacks on mosques, shrines, churches, and Ahmadiyya community properties.
“Religious freedom and the safety of all communities must be guaranteed,” Hasina asserted. She also criticized the alleged harassment of Awami League leaders, students, and law enforcement personnel, calling the current state of affairs “anarchist.”
Rising Political Tensions
Since the interim government assumed power, Bangladesh has faced increasing incidents of extremist rhetoric and political violence. Hasina’s arrest warrant intensifies the existing tensions, as her Bangladesh Awami League continues to challenge the interim administration’s actions.
This legal development underscores the deeply polarized political climate in Bangladesh.
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