A special tribunal in Bangladesh has given investigators one month to complete their work on ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her close aides. They are facing charges of crimes against humanity following a mass uprising this summer that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.
The head judge of the International Crimes Tribunal set December 17 as the deadline for investigators to finish their work. Prosecutors had requested more time for the investigation, citing the need to work in line with an extradition treaty signed with India to facilitate Hasina's return.
Hasina has been living in exile in India since August 5, when she fled the country amidst student-led protests. The tribunal issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 others on October 17, including former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials. The country is currently being governed by an interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Thirteen individuals, including a former law minister and a private-sector adviser to Hasina, appeared before the tribunal on Monday. One former Cabinet minister was not present as he was in police custody for interrogation in a separate case. Six more suspects are scheduled to appear on Wednesday, with at least 20 individuals already arrested in connection with the case.
Following Monday's hearing, the tribunal's head judge ordered all 13 suspects to be sent to jail pending investigation. The chief prosecutor has sought assistance from Interpol through the country's police chief to arrest Hasina, while Yunus announced plans to seek her extradition from India.
Authorities allege that hundreds of people were killed during the uprising in July and August, primarily by security forces attempting to suppress initial protests over government jobs. The violence escalated as the protests evolved into an anti-government movement, resulting in further bloodshed and ultimately ending Hasina's 15-year rule. Hasina had previously called for an investigation into the killings.
