Dhaka: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly denounced the International Crime Tribunal (ICT) for ordering the imprisonment of 15 army officers, calling the tribunal “illegal” and accusing the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus of political persecution.
The ICT’s decision, announced on Wednesday, relates to three separate cases involving enforced disappearances, killings, and other alleged crimes against humanity said to have occurred during the Awami League’s tenure, according to local media reports.
In a statement shared via the Bangladesh Awami League’s official social media channels, Hasina criticised the tribunal’s actions, stating: “Bangladesh has witnessed a strange and unimaginable event. The very ICT that once tried the war criminals responsible for crimes against humanity during our Great War of Liberation is now being used to prosecute the patriotic members of our armed forces — the vigilant sentinels of the nation’s independence and sovereignty.”
She described the trials as “farcical” and demanded their immediate cessation, along with the unconditional release of what she termed political prisoners.
Hasina launched a scathing attack on the interim administration, accusing it of undermining the rule of law. “Under the illegitimate, power-grabbing, and human rights–violating rule of the murderer and fascist Yunus, there is no rule of law in Bangladesh — only the law of the jungle,” she said, alleging that the country had become a haven for terrorists and extremists.
Referring to last year’s July–August student protests, Hasina claimed the movement was a “meticulously designed conspiracy” that led to the brutal killing of civilians, police, political activists, and members of minority communities. She alleged that the perpetrators had been granted impunity, while security personnel who acted to protect lives and property were now facing false charges.
“This is a clear demonstration of the extreme bias of the illegal, murderous, fascist Yunus clique in favor of terrorism and extremism. It sets a vile precedent of state-sponsored terrorism and extremism,” she said.
Calling for national unity, Hasina urged the people of Bangladesh to “unite and fight” to restore justice and rebuild a humane society.
(Inputs from IANS)