### Bangladesh's Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Indicted for Crimes Against Humanity In a significant legal development, Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been formally indicted by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for crimes against humanity. This indictment stems from her alleged involvement in the violent crackdown on protesters during the July Movement of 2024, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of students. Alongside Hasina, former officials, including the ex-Home Minister and the former police chief, have also been charged, with one of them pleading guilty to the accusations. The tribunal's decision marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's political landscape, as Hasina remains in exile following her ousting from power in August 2024 [https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-ex-pm-sheikh-hasina-formally-indicted-in-crimes-against-humanity-case/article69795539.ece][https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/bangladesh-ex-pm-hasina-formally-indicted-in-crimes-against-humanity-case-125071000606_1.html]. ### Structure of the Indictment and Related Events 1. **Indictment Details**: - Sheikh Hasina has been indicted for her role in the violent suppression of the July Movement, which was a student-led protest against government policies. The ICT has accepted charges against her and other officials for ordering the killings of protesters [https://www.firstpost.com/world/sheikh-hasina-indicted-for-crimes-against-humanity-yunus-formed-tribunal-accepts-charges-13904899.html][https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2025/Jul/10/bangladesh-ex-pm-hasina-formally-indicted-in-crimes-against-humanity-case]. 2. **Trial Proceedings**: - The tribunal has initiated trials against Hasina and her co-defendants, with the proceedings occurring in absentia due to her current status as a fugitive [https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/bangladesh-ict-orders-trial-of-former-pm-hasina-over-2024-july-movement-crackdown]. 3. **Guilty Plea from Former Officials**: - Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, the former inspector general of police, has admitted to his involvement in the crackdown and has become a state witness against Hasina [https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/court/386025/charges-framed-against-sheikh-hasina-former-igp]. ### Supporting Evidence and Contextual Data - **Background of the July Movement**: - The July Movement was a significant uprising in 2024, where widespread protests led to violent confrontations with law enforcement, resulting in numerous fatalities among students [https://www.ajc.com/news/2025/07/bangladesh-tribunal-indicts-ousted-prime-minister-hasina-over-deaths-of-protesters]. - **Legal Precedents**: - This indictment follows a series of legal challenges faced by Hasina, including a recent six-month prison sentence for contempt of court related to her controversial statements about having a "license to kill" [https://www.apnews.com/article/bangladesh-hasina-yunus-trial-932998f8f88bcc08b7369d665365efc1]. ### Conclusion and Implications The indictment of Sheikh Hasina represents a critical juncture in Bangladesh's political history, highlighting the ongoing struggle for accountability in the face of alleged state violence. 1. **Legal Accountability**: The ICT's actions signal a commitment to addressing human rights violations, even against high-ranking officials. 2. **Political Ramifications**: Hasina's indictment could further polarize the political landscape in Bangladesh, as her supporters and opponents react to the tribunal's findings. 3. **Future Developments**: The ongoing trials and testimonies from former officials may reveal more about the events surrounding the July Movement and the government's response to dissent. In summary, the formal indictment of Sheikh Hasina not only underscores the gravity of the allegations against her but also sets a precedent for future governance and accountability in Bangladesh [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/3499196-sheikh-hasinas-tribunal-orders-new-developments-in-bangladesh-uprising-case].