DHAKA, Aug 4 — On the eve of the first anniversary of her dramatic ouster, fugitive former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 77, faces mounting accusations of crimes against humanity, as witnesses gave chilling testimonies of violence, torture, and medical neglect during her government’s final weeks in power.
Hasina fled Bangladesh by helicopter on August 5, 2024, amid a wave of student-led protests and growing civil unrest. Her departure followed a brutal crackdown that, according to United Nations estimates, left up to 1,400 people dead between July and August last year.
She remains in India and has refused to return for trial, defying court orders and rejecting the authority of the Bangladeshi court, where she is being tried in absentia.
💥 Harrowing Testimonies from the Uprising
One of the witnesses, Abdullah Al-Imran, a 25-year-old philosophy student, described being shot in the leg by police, resulting in a severe injury that left his limb "barely attached" by a thin layer of skin.
During a court session on Monday, Imran recounted a chilling hospital visit by Hasina shortly after the incident:
“I told her I had been shot by the police,” he said. “I overheard her say, ‘No release, no treatment.’ I didn’t understand it at first — but later I did.”
According to Imran, doctors delayed surgery, withheld necessary antibiotics, and blocked his transfer to a private hospital.
“My leg started to rot,” he told the court, revealing his still-bandaged limb.
Another witness described being blinded in one eye after police opened fire at close range. She is the third to testify about the excessive use of force by state security forces during the unrest.
🧑⚖️ Hasina Faces Five Charges, Including Mass Murder
Prosecutors have charged Hasina with five serious offenses, including failure to prevent mass killings and human rights violations, charges that collectively amount to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law.
Also standing trial:
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Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former interior minister (also a fugitive)
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Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, ex-police chief (in custody and has pleaded guilty)
Hasina is currently represented by a state-appointed lawyer, although she continues to denounce the legitimacy of the court.
🕊️ A Turning Point for Bangladesh
Tuesday, August 5, has been declared a national holiday to mark the one-year anniversary of Hasina’s downfall. The country is set to hear from Mohammed Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate who now leads the caretaker government. He is expected to announce a slate of democratic reforms and electoral transparency initiatives.
The trial resumes later this week as public interest grows around the unfolding proceedings and potential implications for Bangladesh's political future.
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