Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Bangladesh opens trial against ex-PM Hasina

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Jun 2025 15:22
3 Min Read

Prosecutors say Sheikh Hasina orchestrated a systematic campaign of violence during the 2024 protests, using security forces and party militias to suppress dissent and silence opposition.

Listen
  • x
  •  Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reviews an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP)
    Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reviews an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP)

The Sheikh Hasina protest crackdown trial officially began Sunday, marking a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political history. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has charged former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with orchestrating a “coordinated, widespread and systematic attack” on protesters during last year’s nationwide uprising, which left up to 1,400 people dead, according to UN estimates.

Hasina, 77, fled to India by helicopter in August 2024 after her 15-year rule was brought to an end by a student-led uprising. She has since remained in exile, with New Delhi defying an extradition request issued by the interim government.

Opening the trial, chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said the crackdown constituted crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, conspiracy, and complicity in mass killings. “Upon scrutinising the evidence, we reached the conclusion that it was a coordinated, widespread and systematic attack,” Islam stated. “The accused unleashed all law enforcement agencies and her armed party members to crush the uprising.”

The prosecution presented what it described as a vast body of evidence: drone and helicopter flight records, audio transcripts of Hasina’s calls, and survivor testimonies documenting the use of lethal force, including helicopter gunfire on protesters. One cited case involved the killing of student activist Abu Sayeed in Rangpur on July 16, reportedly shot at close range.

Hasina has dismissed the charges as politically motivated. From exile, she maintains that the accusations are part of a campaign to discredit her legacy.

Related News

Bangladesh to unveil major reforms on Hasina ouster anniversary

19 dead, dozens hurt after Bangladeshi jet crashes into college

Also charged are former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who is in custody but was not present in court, and former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who remains at large. The charges include abetment, conspiracy, incitement, and failure to prevent mass atrocities.

Chief prosecutor Islam emphasized the independence of the legal process: “This is not an act of vendetta but a commitment to the principle that, in a democratic country, there is no room for crimes against humanity.”

Political fallout: Awami League banned, Jamaat reinstated

The Awami League, Hasina’s once-dominant political party, was officially banned in May 2025 pending the outcome of the trial. Founded in 1949, the party had governed Bangladesh for much of its post-independence history. The tribunal prosecuting Hasina was originally formed under her own government in 2009 to address 1971 war crimes.

In a parallel political development, the Supreme Court reinstated the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party, on the same day the trial began. The party had been previously outlawed under Hasina’s rule, and many of its leaders were jailed.

In a related move, the ICT opened a separate case on May 25 against eight police officers accused of crimes against humanity during the final days of Hasina’s government. The officers are charged with the killing of six protesters on August 5, the same day Hasina fled the country. 

The trial, broadcast live on state-run Bangladesh Television, comes amid heightened political tension ahead of national elections scheduled for mid-2026.

Read more: Bangladesh to hold all-party talks to foster stability

  • bangladesh
  • sheikh hasina

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS