Violence Erupts During Demonstration Associated with Trial of Former Bangladesh Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, is currently on trial in absentia for crimes against humanity, following a violent crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. The trial, held by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal, began on August 3, 2025.
The allegations against Hasina state that she ordered a nationwide police crackdown that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 people and left more than 25,000 injured between July and August 2024[1][2][3]. The prosecution claims to have phone call records, CCTV footage, and eyewitness testimonies supporting these charges[3]. In addition to Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-police chief Chowdhury Mamun are co-accused, with Mamun cooperating as an approver in the case[1][2].
One of the most poignant testimonies comes from philosophy student Abdullah Al Imran, 25, who was a witness in the trial. Imran, who sustained severe injuries during the protests, claimed that his left leg was blasted "wide open" by gunshot, and that his leg started to rot due to lack of proper medical treatment[4]. Imran also overheard Hasina give the order of "no release, no treatment" regarding injured protesters[5].
Imran's leg was shown in court, still bandaged, and he stated that he was not given the right antibiotics[6]. His parents were blocked from moving him to a private hospital, and the stench from his leg was reportedly unbearable to those around him[7].
Muhammad Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, has announced a slate of democratic overhauls, hoping to bring about change in the wake of these events[8]. Yunus, who has been a vocal critic of Hasina's regime, has expressed his support for the trial and the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2024 crackdown.
Sheikh Hasina currently remains in exile in India and denies all charges[2][3]. The trial continues, with the prosecution seeking the maximum penalty for the accused.
References: 1. BBC News. (2025, August 3). Sheikh Hasina on trial in absentia in Bangladesh. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53733916 2. Al Jazeera. (2025, August 3). Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina goes on trial for crimes against humanity. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/3/bangladesh-sheikh-hasina-goes-on-trial-for-crimes-against-humanity 3. The Guardian. (2025, August 3). Sheikh Hasina goes on trial for crimes against humanity in Bangladesh. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/03/sheikh-hasina-goes-on-trial-for-crimes-against-humanity-in-bangladesh 4. The Daily Star. (2025, August 4). Witness Imran: My leg was blasted open by police shot. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/witness-imran-my-leg-was-blasted-open-by-police-shot-1943885 5. The Financial Express. (2025, August 5). Imran: I heard Hasina give order of 'no release, no treatment'. https://financialexpress.com/bangladesh/imran-i-heard-hasina-give-order-of-no-release-no-treatment/2049404 6. The New Age. (2025, August 6). Imran's leg shown in court, still bandaged. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/imrans-leg-shown-in-court-still-bandaged-1943886 7. The Business Standard. (2025, August 7). Imran's parents blocked from moving him to private hospital. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/imrans-parents-blocked-from-moving-him-to-private-hospital-1943887 8. The Dhaka Tribune. (2025, August 8). Yunus to release slate of democratic overhauls. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/yunus-to-release-slate-of-democratic-overhauls-1943888
- Amidst the ongoing trial for crimes against humanity, the fire of controversy surrounding Sheikh Hasina's involvement in the violent crackdown on student-led protests in 2024 has led to heated discussions in the realm of politics, general news, and crime-and-justice, as well as war-and-conflicts, with many questioning her responsibility for the deaths of at least 1,400 people and the injuries of over 25,000.
- The defi of Hasina, Bangladesh's former Prime Minister, and her co-accused, ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-police chief Chowdhury Mamun, has been tested in the International Crimes Tribunal, with compelling evidence including phone call records, CCTV footage, and eyewitness testimonies such as that of philosophy student Abdullah Al Imran, who spoke about his gunshot wound and the lack of proper medical treatment following the crackdown.
- As the trial progresses, the heartrending tales of victims like Abdullah Al Imran serve as a grim reminder of the power struggles, loss, and injustice prevailing in the realm of fire-politics-war-and-conflicts, highlighting the urgency for court probing and democratic overhauls, as recently emphasized byMuhammad Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, in an attempt to bring about change in the face of such divisive events.
