Sheikh Hasina Verdict: Bangladesh’s International Crime Tribunal awarded death sentence to former PM Sheikh Hasina after finding her guilty of violence over the 2024 students’ movement. He and his associates face serious charges of murder and crimes against humanity.
Sheikh Hasina Escape Options: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death by the International Crime Tribunal (ICT-BD), finding two of her associates guilty of violent action on the 2024 student movement. The verdict came after a months-long trial, in which Hasina herself was not present. After this decision, Dhaka is under complete security cover. Army, police and paramilitary forces are deployed across the city. ICT Chief Justice said that Sheikh Hasina took no steps to stop the violence while having complete control over her Home Minister and Police Chief. In such a situation, the question arises that where is Sheikh Hasina now and what options do she have to escape?
Where is Sheikh Hasina?
Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan are now living in India. At the same time, the third accused, former IGP Chaudhary Abdullah Al-Mamun, has become a government witness. Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan are absconding, hence despite the decision of ICT-BD they could not be arrested immediately.
What is ICT-BD?
ICTBD i.e. International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh is a special court, which hears particularly serious crimes. It was established under the International Crimes Act of 1973. This court hears those cases over which the ordinary court does not have jurisdiction. It has International in its name, but international judges are not involved in it, only Bangladeshi judges hear the cases. The main purpose of the ICTBD is to hear cases of 1971 war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and mass atrocities. This means that if a case amounts to a crime against humanity, only the ICT-BD can look into it.
What are the charges against Sheikh Hasina?
- Inciting violence and ordering the killing of protesters
- Failure to stop crime through former Home Minister and Police Chief
- Arresting and torturing student protesters
- Extrajudicial killing and firing order
- Deadly use of military and police forces
What option does Sheikh Hasina have to escape the death penalty?
At present Sheikh Hasina has very few options left. The former PM can appeal against the decision of ICT-BD in Bangladesh Supreme Court (Appeal Division). If Sheikh Hasina takes refuge in the International Court of Justice or human rights organizations, it may take a long time for the results to arrive. Even though immediate arrest is not possible due to his residence in India, the situation is being constantly monitored by the Bangladesh government and international surveillance.
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