Tribunal Says Former PM Ordered Killings and Denied Medical Aid to Protesting Students

In a significant legal development from Dhaka, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has formally convicted ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of committing crimes against humanity. The verdict, delivered on Monday, addresses the violent suppression of the student-led uprising that took place between July and August 2024. The tribunal's judgment included stern observations, explicitly stating that the former leader not only sanctioned the lethal use of force against protesters but also inhumanely blocked their access to medical treatment.

Currently living in exile in India after fleeing the unrest last year, Sheikh Hasina was found guilty alongside former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. While Kamal remains a fugitive, Al-Mamun is currently in custody and has transitioned to a state witness, admitting guilt.

The court's observations painted a grim picture of the administration's response to the 2024 protests. According to the judge, it is "crystal clear" that directives to attack demonstrators came directly from the top leadership. Instead of engaging in dialogue to resolve the students' demands, the tribunal noted that the government attempted to crush the movement violently. The court also cited a YouTube interview where the former Prime Minister reportedly acknowledged her responsibility for the events as the head of state.

Prosecutors laid out five specific charges against the former Premier. These included the failure to prevent bloodshed, labeling students as "Razakaars" to incite hatred, and masterminding the "July massacre." Specific incidents cited in the verdict included the high-profile shooting of student Abu Sayeed in Rangpur on July 16, the killing of six students in Dhaka's Chankharpul area, and the brutal burning and shooting of six individuals in Ashulia on August 5.

Despite the damning verdict, Sheikh Hasina remains defiant. In an audio message directed at her Awami League supporters, the 78-year-old leader dismissed the tribunal as a "kangaroo court" and claimed the charges were politically fabricated. She continues to blame Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus for the instability in Bangladesh, asserting that she will continue to serve her people regardless of the court's decision.