A Bangladeshi court has issued a second arrest warrant for former leader Sheikh Hasina, now in exile, in connection with alleged enforced disappearances, according to the chief prosecutor on Monday.
Hasina, 77, fled to India in August after being ousted by a student-led revolution, and an initial arrest warrant was already issued for her on charges of crimes against humanity.
Her 15-year rule was marked by widespread human rights violations, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings of political opponents.
Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), confirmed that the new warrant pertains to her role in the enforced disappearances during her tenure.
Over 500 people are reported to have been abducted by Bangladesh’s security forces, with some held in secret facilities for years. Since Hasina’s ouster, victims have begun sharing their disturbing stories.
The court has issued the warrant for Hasina and 11 others, including her military adviser, law enforcement officials, and military personnel.
In December, Bangladesh requested India to extradite Hasina to face trial, but Delhi has not responded.
Islam expressed a desire to move forward with the trial, ensuring that due process is followed.
Since Hasina’s government collapsed, dozens of her associates have been arrested, with some facing accusations of involvement in a police crackdown that resulted in the deaths of over 700 people during the uprising.
