<div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Trial proceedings for the July-August genocide, which took place during the recent mass upsurge, have begun with issuing warrants for the arrest of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others, including Awami Legaue general secretary Obaidul Quader, as part of these developments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Advocate Mohammad Tajul Islam, the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, revealed the information on Thursday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A three-member tribunal, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, ordered that Sheikh Hasina must appear before the court by November 18.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud said two petitions were submitted before the tribunal. In the first petition, they sought a warrant for Sheikh Hasina’s arrest while in the other petition they sought arrest warrants for 45 others.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">The tribunal accepted the two petitions and asked to submit a report within November 18, he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier reports suggested that the prosecution would seek arrest warrants against 50 people, including Sheikh Hasina, in connection with the atrocities that took place during the July-August period.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The trial, now in progress, marks a significant step towards justice for the alleged crimes committed during the movement, with the international community closely watching the developments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Reconstitution of ICT</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On October 14, the government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal by appointing its chairman and two members to start the trials of people who committed crimes against humanity during the July-August mass uprising.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Golam Mortuza Mozumder was appointed as Chairman of the ICT. The other members of the tribunal are--Additional Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and District and Session Judge (retd) Md Mohitul Haq Anam Chowdhury.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Earlier, Advocate Tajul Islam, a Supreme Court lawyer was appointed as the chief prosecutor.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>List of those killed in mass upsurge</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">The interim government published a draft list of 708 people killed during the student-led mass upsurge in July and August.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Quoting the available public reports by media and the protest movement itself, the UN rights body said between 16 July and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed, according to the report titled ‘Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh’.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of these, nearly 400 deaths were reported from 16 July to 4 August, while around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave of protests between 5 and 6 August.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fall of Hasina’s Regime</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The protests that led to Sheikh Hasina’s fall started centring reforming quota system in government jobs and it escalated on July 16 when clashes between security forces and pro-government activists and students turned violent.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Supreme Court intervened to roll back the quota decision, but the unrest continued.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A renewed wave of anti-government demonstrations saw violent clashes and killing of students and general people by law enforcement agencies and then ruling party activists that left over 1000 people dead and many injured.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On August 6, when thousands of demonstrators started to move towards her official residence Ganobhaban Sheikh Hasina resigned.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shortly after her resignation, Hasina, accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana, left Dhaka for India via a helicopter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The approval for Hasina to go to India was granted at a short notice, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hasina’s fall was so dramatic that she had only 45 minutes to leave her official residence Ganobhaban, which was stormed by jubilant protesters shortly after her exit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since her exit, Hasina is facing more than 100 cases, nearly all of them filed by aggrieved members of those killed by law enforcement agencies during the massive protests. The unprecedented violence left over 1000 people – many of them children and youth – killed and thousands injured.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She is also facing complaints filed before the International Crimes Tribunal accusing her of mass killings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diplomatic sources in both the capitals believe Hasina’s continued presence in India may become a headache for New Delhi in its bid to build a rapport with the Yunus-led administration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the interim government revoked her diplomatic passport, questions arose as to how long Sheikh Hasina can stay in India and whether she will face a possible extradition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hasina was elected Prime Minister in 1996 after winning the general election. Her tenure lasted until 2001. During the 2006–2008 political crisis, Hasina was detained on extortion charges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She again won the 2008 election, solidifying her position as a key political figure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2014, Hasina was reelected for a third term in an election boycotted by the opposition BNP, raising questions about the legitimacy of her government. Nevertheless, she continued to lead the country and won her fourth term after the 2018 election.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2024, Sheikh Hasina secured her fifth term as Prime Minister which was marred by controversy and violence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>