On Thursday, November 13, the Bangladeshi International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) will render a decision in the case of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was accused of murder and other crimes against humanity during last year’s July revolt. Due to rising tensions, Bangladesh is still on high alert before the announcement. The army and police are among the security troops that have been stationed at airports and other strategic locations across the country.
On Thursday, the Bangladesh Awami League declared a statewide lockdown from dawn to sunset and urged people from all areas of life to take part.
Party leaders have been announcing the program on social media from unidentified locations since the Awami League and its allied organizations were prohibited from operating by the interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. They are aggressively running an internet campaign as well.
Crude bomb (cocktail) explosions and vehicle arson have been reported in several locations of Bangladesh, including the country’s capital, Dhaka, within the last two days. Nationwide flash rallies have also been organized by Awami League supporters. In the meantime, security forces have established checkpoints and car searches on major roadways, and police have begun operations around the country to apprehend party officials and activists.
Sheikh Hasina’s government was overthrown in July 2024 by a student-led rebellion. The former prime minister escaped to India on August 5, 2024. Following that, Muhammad Yunus led the formation of an interim administration. A United Nations assessment estimates that 1,400 people may have perished during the protests in July.
In order to prosecute crimes against humanity perpetrated during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan, Sheikh Hasina’s administration first established the International Crimes Tribunal. During Hasina’s administration, the tribunal tried a number of Jamaat-e-Islami officials who were charged with war crimes.
Following changes to its legal structure, the new interim administration has filed a lawsuit against Sheikh Hasina in the same tribunal. The tribunal is scheduled to announce the date of the ruling against the former prime minister on Thursday, following the completion of the case’s testimony.
