Photo: University of Dhaka, August 13, 2024
A Bangladesh court on Tuesday launched an investigation into ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six senior officials in her administration over the killing of a man by police during unrest last month. Hasina is accused of calling for strong action to quell the violence, Reuters reported.
About 300 people have been killed in demonstrations that began as protests against job quotas but have grown into a movement calling for Hasina to be ousted.
Hasina on Tuesday called for action against those involved in “killings and vandalism” in the country, her first statements since protests forced her to flee to India. The statement, delivered through her son, came hours after a court ordered an inquiry into her role in the death of a grocery store owner during the protests.
Many people died “in the name of revolution” in July, Hasina said.
"I demand that (the actions of those) involved in these killings and vandalism be properly investigated and the culprits identified and punished accordingly," she said.
Other former government officials also face prosecution: former Law Minister Anisul Huq and Hasina's adviser Salman Rahman have been arrested on charges of “instigating” the killings of two people, Bangladesh police said on Tuesday.
The six other accused in the case against Hasina include Hasina's Awami League party general secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and four top police officers appointed by Hasina's government who have since resigned, including – Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah al-Mamun.
Bangladeshi student leader Nahid Islam, who is now part of the interim government, recently said Hasina should be brought to justice for the killings committed during her rule.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga