The International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina concerning allegations of genocide related to the student-led movements during July and August.
On Thursday. (17 October) a bench led by Tribunal Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza announced the order.
The tribunal has commenced proceedings regarding the genocide events, with three cases listed on the agenda for the first day.
Judicial proceedings began at 11 AM in the courtroom adjacent to the main (old) building of the tribunal.
Present in the courtroom were Tribunal Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, along with members Justice Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Sources from the tribunal have indicated that the prosecution will seek an arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina and 49 others in connection with the July-August genocide.
Established in 2010 to prosecute crimes against humanity during the liberation war, the International Crimes Tribunal has initiated proceedings for the genocide that occurred in July and August under the interim government's directive.
The tribunal's investigation agency and prosecution team have already filed over fifty allegations of murder, genocide, and enforced disappearances, implicating the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her ministers, parliament members, law enforcement officials, Awami League activists, and journalists.
Awami League government had established the International Crimes Tribunal in 2010 to bring those accused of crimes against humanity to justice.
The tribunal officially began its operations on 25 March of that year.
Subsequently, another tribunal, known as Tribunal-2, was established on 22 March 2012.
However, on 15 September 2015, the two tribunals were merged, leading to ongoing judicial proceedings against those accused of crimes against humanity committed in 1971. Currently, thirty earlier cases remain active within the tribunal.
