Bangladesh Issues Second Arrest Warrant for Exiled Sheikh Hasina
A Bangladeshi court has issued a second arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in exile in India, for her alleged involvement in enforced disappearances during her tenure, Dawn Newspaper reported. The chief prosecutor, Tajul Islam, announced this development on January 6, 2025.
This new warrant follows an earlier one related to charges of crimes against humanity, stemming from Hasina’s 15-year rule, which was marked by accusations of widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and mass detentions of political opponents.
Islam stated that the court seeks to expedite the trial process while ensuring due legal procedures are followed. Since Hasina’s ouster in August 2024, numerous victims have come forward with testimonies of abduction by security forces. Bangladesh has requested India to extradite Hasina, but Delhi has yet to respond. The situation remains tense as many of Hasina’s allies face legal repercussions following her government’s collapse.
