Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 02-09-2024

The charges against the former PM include murder, allegations of crimes against humanity, and alleged abductions.

Two new murder cases have been filed against Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her former cabinet for killing three people during July’s violent student-led anti-quota demonstrations, according to media reports.

The cases were filed in Dhaka courts on Friday, bringing the total number of legal cases against Hasina to 84.

The 76-year-old leader is facing 70 murder charges, eight cases of alleged crimes against humanity and genocide, three charges for alleged abduction, and three other charges, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

Deep dive into the murder charges

Two of the three people killed during the protests on August 4 include Zulkar Hossain, 38, and Anjana, 28, members of Hasina’s former opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The case was filed by the party’s activist Matiur Rahman in Kishoreganj.

The case statement details leaders of the Awami League party attacking a procession of the student movement and BNP activists with firearms, batons, and sharp weapons.

Some BNP members sought refuge in the home of a district Awami League leader in the nearby Khormaptri area where they were confined by Hasina-led party supporters. Hossain and Anjana were killed by the activists who set them on fire.

Hasin and her former road transport and bridges minister, Obaidul Quader, were among the 88 people named in the case.

In another case from Munshiganj, a 22-year-old man was shot on August 4 during the demonstrations in the town’s Supermarket area where 313 people were accused in the case, including Hasina, her fellow Awami League leaders, and members of the party’s student wing Chhatra League.

“No one has been arrested in this case yet,” the additional superintendent of police at Munshiganj Sadar Circle, Thander Khairul Hasan, said in the report.

Hasina was named in another case in Gazipur where 57 people were accused of costing an 18-year-old college student their eyesight after they were shot during an attack on demonstrators at the orders of Hasina, according to the court document.

Bangladesh’s turmoil

Bangladesh has been witnessing turmoil since student-led protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina erupted.

Hasina, 76, fled to neighboring India by helicopter earlier this month after thousands of protesters stormed her official residence, ending her 15 years of rule.

More than 450 people were killed in the weeks of protests leading up to her August 5 ouster, most by police fire.

The ousted premier accused the United States of orchestrating her overthrow after she refused to give up sovereignty over the key island of St. Martin.

Days after, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was sworn into office to lead Bangladesh’s interim government as its chief advisor.