Bangladesh Court Issues Arrest Warrants for 17 Police Officers in Mass Killing Cases

A court in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has issued arrest warrants for 17 police officers, including the former chief of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, on charges of mass killing and crimes against humanity, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

The International Crimes Tribunal found prima facie evidence of genocide against the accused. This development follows the arrest of 20 former ministers, lawmakers, police, and military officials from the previous government of ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, all linked to similar charges related to mass killings during student-led protests in July and August.

These protests resulted in at least 736 deaths and over 22,000 injuries from violent clashes. Following Hasina’s flight to India on August 5, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed head of a transitional government. The tribunal has mandated that the accused be presented in court by November 20, as investigators cited evidence of “inhuman activities violating international laws.”