In Exile: The Landmark Trial Against Ex-PM Hasina Hits Bangladesh
Trial Initiated Against Previous Prime Minister Hasina in Bangladesh
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The grand showdown against ex-PM Sheikh Hasina has started in Bangladesh, with trials commencing in her absence. Speaking on a recent Sunday, Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam declared that Hasina had orchestrated a "widespread assault" on the populace, deploying the police and party militants to quell dissent. The United Nations estimates that approximately 1,400 lives were lost in confrontations with law enforcement during last year's protests.
The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh is currently scrutinizing Hasina for allegedly being a part of "inciting, encouraging, collaborating, conspiring, and neglecting to halt acts of violent mass murders" during the 2024 unrest, as revealed by Prosecutor Islam during the opening gavel in the capital Dhaka. Additional political allies, hailing from her now-prohibited Awami League party, are also implicated.
In August of last year, Hasina, age 77, made a hasty escape to India by helicopter, evading weeks of widespread protests. The military then established a transitional administration, chaired by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. Revolting against an arrest warrant issued by Dhaka, Hasina refused to return to face charges.
Hasina governed Bangladesh with an iron grip for 15 years. Her government was under fire for negative human rights practices, with allegations of illegal detention and homicides against opposition figures.
Key Facts to Know
- Historic Proceedings: The trials against Hasina and her associates make history as the first to be broadcast live on television in Bangladesh's history.
- International Scrutiny: Should she stand trial in person, Hasina could potentially face the death penalty as stipulated by the International Crimes Tribunal law.
- Bihar Exile: Hasina currently resides in the Indian state of Bihar.
- Charges Against Allies: Other figures from Hasina's Awami League party are also facing charges related to the violent crackdown on student protests in 2024.
- United Front: The Bangladesh Awami League, Hasina's political party, has rejected the trial as unfair and a ploy by anti-liberation forces to sabotage her political standing.
[1] Amnesty International. (2025). Bangladesh: Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Two Officials Charged with Crimes Against Humanity and Mass Murder [Press Release]. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/06/bangladesh-former-prime-minister-sheikh-hasina-and-two-officials-charged-with-crimes-against-humanity-and-mass-murder/
[2] Daily Star. (2025). Former PM, Home Minister, IGP Charged [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh-news/former-pm-home-minister-igp-charged-1925268
[3] Al Jazeera. (2025). Bangladesh accuses ex-PM Hasina of crimes against humanity. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/2/bangladesh-accuses-ex-pm-hasina-of-crimes-against-humanity
[4] Reuters. (2025). Bangladesh charges ex-PM Hasina with crimes against humanity. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-charges-ex-pm-hasina-crimes-against-humanity-2025-06-02/
[5] BBC News. (2025). Bangladesh holds former PM Hasina over protests. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56335415
- In the context of the current crisis, the Commission has decided to extend the period of validity of the programme to cover general news, politics, crime-and-justice, policy-and-legislation, and war-and-conflicts, especially in relation to the landmark trial against ex-PM Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh.
- As the trial progresses, discussions on social media platforms have been intensifying, with many commenting on the charges against Hasina for inciting, encouraging, collaborating, conspiring, and neglecting to halt acts of violent mass murders during the 2024 unrest.
- Given the international scrutiny surrounding the trial, it is essential to monitor the developments in this case to ensure justice is upheld and human rights are protected, which aligns closely with the areas of war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and policy-and-legislation.
