The International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant for fugitive former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina. Authorities have been instructed to arrest and present her before the tribunal by November 18.

The order was issued on Thursday, October 17, by the tribunal’s bench, led by Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza.

Earlier in the day, at 11:00 AM, the three-member judicial panel entered the tribunal’s courtroom. The panel includes Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, alongside Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. The judges officially assumed their duties on Tuesday, October 15, after signing their appointment papers.

The tribunal is tasked with prosecuting cases of enforced disappearances, killings, and the genocide committed during the recent student and public protests under the Awami League government.

It is reported that the Awami League government responded to the protests with indiscriminate killings, resulting in approximately 1,500 deaths. The regime of Sheikh Hasina, which had lasted for 15 years, came to an end on August 5 following the uprising.

 
After Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership of the interim government, a decision was made to pursue legal action regarding the atrocities committed during the July-August genocide.