Sheikh Hasina’s FIRST REACTION after being sentenced to death by ICT, says ruling was…

Sheikh Hasina Death Sentence: In a major blow to Sheikh Hasina, the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh on Monday found the ousted former Prime Minister guilty of committing serious crimes against humanity during last year’s student protest. Apart from Hasina, the Tribunal also found former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun guilty of the same charges.

The verdict was announced amid heavy security in Dhaka and neighbouring regions following yesterday violence.

What Are The Charges Against Hasina And Others?

The former Bangladesh PM is facing five major charges – murders, attempted murders, torture and use of armed force on unarmed protesting students, issuing orders to deploy lethal weapons, target killings in Rangpur and Dhaka.

What Are The Five Charges Listed In Court?

• Instrumenting mass killings of protesters in Dhaka.
• Misuse of helicopters, drones to fire on protesting civilians.
• Student activist Abu Sayed’s murder.
• Burning bodies in Ashulia to destroy evidence
• Planned killing of protestors in Chankharpul.

What Are The Allegations Against Sheikh Hasina?

• Bangladesh ex-PM Sheikh Hasina is facing serious charges at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
• The first charge against the former Bangladesh PM is – enforced disappearance of opposition leaders.
• Second charge is, Hasina’s involvement in the killings during the violence. The investigation report, which was released on May 12 this year, also claimed that Hasina ordered the killings. The report also claimed that these killings further fuelled the violence. During the violence at last 1,400 people were killed and around 25,000 were injured.
• Sheikh Hasina, accused Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Ali of murdering Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, without any provocation.
• She has also been accused of killing six people at Chankhar Bridge in Dhaka.
• As per chief prosecutor Tajul Islam, five major charges against Sheikh Hasina include murder of 13 people. She ordered the killing of five people and burning their bodies in Ashulia before leaving Dhaka. The report said a person was set on fire alive.

Where Did Explosions Take Place In Dhaka?

On Sunday, two crude bombs exploded in front of the home of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an advisor to Environment Minister, Forests on Central Road. At around 9.30 pm, a third crude bomb explosion occurred in the Bangla Motor area. Other two crude bomb explosion were reported in front of Titumir College and Amtali Square in Dhaka. Some miscreants also set a public bus on fire.

Sheikh Hasina has already refused to return to her country despite the court orders requiring her presence at the proceedings. She rejected the authority of what she refers to as an ‘interim junta.’