A Special Trial for Hasina Kicks Off Amid Extradition Demands
Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister faces charges for alleged crimes against humanity
Trial commences for overthrown Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh commenced its proceedings against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, charging her with atrocities committed during a mass uprising that left hundreds of students dead last year. The court directed investigators to present Hasina, her former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun before the court on June 16th.
Currently, Hasina resides in self-imposed exile in India, and Bangladesh sent an extradition request for her in December. However, India has yet to respond officially to the request. Asaduzzaman Khan is reportedly also in India, but his whereabouts are unknown, while Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has been arrested.
Broadcasting live on state-run Bangladesh Television, the court proceedings detailed five allegations of crimes against humanity against Hasina and the two other individuals during the mass uprising in 2024. The charges included mass killings, targeted violence, and denial of medical treatment among others.
Three days following Hasina's dismissal, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took over as the interim leader. In February 2025, the U.N. human rights office estimated that approximately 1,400 individuals may have perished during the three-week crackdown on student-led protests against Hasina, who governed the country for fifteen years.
The tribunal was established by Hasina in 2009 to investigate and prosecute crimes associated with Bangladesh's independence war in 1971. Under Hasina's administration, the tribunal prosecuted politicians, primarily from the Jamaat-e-Islami party, for their actions during the nine-month struggle against Pakistan. Aided by India, Bangladesh achieved independence under the guidance of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina's father and the nation's first leader.
Update:
- Extradition Deadlock: Bangladesh is putting pressure on India to extradite Hasina to stand trial, but as of March 2025, India has still not responded to the formal request[3][4].
- Ongoing Trial: The trial against Hasina is progressing in her absence, with the defense arguing that she cannot return to the country while her safety is at risk due to political unrest[5].
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- Despite India yet to respond to the extradition request for Hasina, Bangladesh continues to put pressure on them.
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- The ongoing trial against Hasina, Seattle's native, is progressing in her absence, with the defense citing political unrest as a reason for her inability to return.
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