War Crimes Trial Begins Against Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina

KKN Gurugram Desk | The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has officially begun proceedings against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, charging her with crimes against humanity following mass political unrest in 2024. The trial, which was formally opened on Sunday, is being broadcast live on national television (BTV), making it one of the most publicly followed trials in the country’s recent history.

Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since a military coup in August 2024, and the Bangladeshi government has issued an arrest warrant and requested Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice against her. Over 225 cases have reportedly been filed against her, including charges of murder, abduction, sedition, and mass violence.

Formal Charges Filed at International Crimes Tribunal

According to Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam, the charges against Sheikh Hasina were officially submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal on May 12, 2025, following an investigation report compiled by the ICT’s investigative agency.

The prosecution alleges that during the July 2024 protests, over 1,500 people were killed and more than 25,000 were injured across Bangladesh. These events, according to investigators, amount to crimes against humanity under international law and fall within the jurisdiction of the ICT.

Key Charges:

• Systematic killing of civilians

• Suppression of democratic protests through lethal force

• Use of state machinery for political retaliation

• Abuse of power and obstruction of justice

Live Telecast of the Trial: A Rare Move

In a rare decision, the Bangladesh government is broadcasting the tribunal proceedings live on BTV, the state-run national broadcaster. Legal experts believe this move is aimed at reinforcing public transparency and sending a message both domestically and internationally about the gravity of the charges.

However, Hasina’s legal team has called the trial politically motivated, alleging that the ICT is being used as a tool by the post-coup administration led by Yunus to silence opposition and establish authoritarian control.

Coup in August 2024 and Exile in India

Following massive anti-government protests in mid-2024, Sheikh Hasina’s government was overthrown in a military-led coup in August 2024. She fled the country and has since been residing in India, where she was reportedly granted temporary protection on humanitarian grounds.

In April 2025, Hasina’s Bangladeshi passport was officially revoked, further complicating her legal status. Despite pressure from Dhaka, the Indian government has extended her visa, signaling a diplomatic standoff over her potential extradition.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa Claimed Responsibility for Coup Support

In a shocking development, militants linked to the banned Pakistani terror outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) claimed involvement in the unrest that led to Hasina’s ouster. Speaking at a public gathering in Lahore, JuD members Saifullah Kasuri and Muzzammil Hashmi said they actively supported the anti-Hasina movement in Bangladesh.

Kasuri even declared that “we took revenge for 1971 on May 10”, referencing the Bangladesh Liberation War, which resulted in Pakistan’s disintegration and the formation of Bangladesh. The statement has sparked international condemnation, particularly from India and Bangladesh, given JuD’s connection to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

More Than 225 Criminal Cases Filed Against Hasina

Since the coup, the Yunus administration has filed more than 225 criminal cases against Sheikh Hasina. These include:

• Charges under Bangladesh’s anti-terror laws

• War crimes and genocide

• Abuse of constitutional authority

• Financial embezzlement and corruption

• Unlawful detention and disappearance of political opponents

The government has stated that it will not negotiate any amnesty or exile deal with Hasina, and that full legal prosecution will proceed under national and international frameworks.

Interpol Red Corner Notice Request

In April 2025, the Bangladesh Police officially requested Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice against Hasina and 11 others, including former cabinet ministers and senior advisors. The Red Notice allows law enforcement agencies worldwide to:

• Locate

• Provisionally arrest

• Extradite individuals wanted for prosecution or sentencing

While Interpol has not yet confirmed whether the notice has been issued, officials in Dhaka believe that international cooperation is essential to bringing Hasina back to Bangladesh for trial.

India’s Position: A Diplomatic Balancing Act

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has so far maintained a cautious stance. While acknowledging Hasina’s presence on Indian soil, India has refrained from commenting on the possibility of deportation.

However, by extending her visa in May 2025, New Delhi has sent a clear signal that immediate repatriation is unlikely, citing human rights concerns and geopolitical stability as core factors in its decision-making process.

Indian political analysts suggest that deporting Hasina could escalate regional tensions, especially given her historical role as a key Indian ally in South Asia.

Sheikh Hasina’s Response: Bangladesh Has Turned Into a Terror State

In a video message shared on social media on April 8, 2025, Sheikh Hasina broke her silence. She expressed deep sorrow at the current state of Bangladesh, stating:

“Bangladesh was once seen as a model of development and democracy. Today, it has become a haven for terrorists and foreign interference. The soul of the nation has been hijacked.”

Her statement quickly went viral and triggered mixed responses both in Bangladesh and abroad. Pro-Hasina supporters argue that her ouster was orchestrated by radical forces, while her critics maintain that she suppressed democratic freedoms and should be held accountable.

Legal Analysts: A Precedent for International Justice in South Asia?

Experts in international law are watching the Sheikh Hasina trial closely, with some describing it as a potential landmark case for South Asia. If the proceedings adhere to global standards, it could set a precedent for prosecuting leaders accused of state-led violence and human rights violations.

However, there are growing concerns about the politicization of the ICT and whether the trial is more about retribution than justice.

“The use of international tribunals in national politics must be balanced with legal integrity. Otherwise, such trials risk becoming spectacles rather than instruments of justice,” said Dr. Anirudh Banerjee, an expert in international law at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Linked Security Concerns: KNF and Insurgency Threats

In a related report, Bangladeshi authorities are now dealing with an alarming rise in insurgent activity, particularly linked to the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF)—a banned separatist group.

Recent intelligence indicates:

• Over 1,000 insurgents have received guerrilla warfare training inside Bangladesh.

• Authorities have recovered 30,000 military-style uniforms, suggesting a massive operation in planning.

• Reports hint that Bangladesh may be turning into a safe haven for insurgent groups, raising security concerns for India and Myanmar as well.

The unfolding case against Sheikh Hasina marks an unprecedented moment in Bangladesh’s political and judicial history. The combination of allegations of mass atrocities, a military coup, and foreign terrorist involvement has placed the country at the center of international scrutiny.

As Hasina remains in India under political asylum-like conditions, her trial continues in absentia in Dhaka. Whether she is extradited or continues to live in exile could determine the future of India-Bangladesh relations, the credibility of the ICT, and the trajectory of democratic accountability in South Asia.