The International Crimes Tribunal has framed five charges of crimes against humanity against Sheikh Hasina and two other accused, including allegations of superior command responsibility, conspiracy, incitement, murder, and planning.
The charges are as follows:
1. Incitement through inflammatory remarks
The first charge states that on July 14, 2024, during a press conference, Sheikh Hasina made provocative remarks against anti-discrimination student protesters, calling them “children of Razakars” and “grandchildren of Razakars”.
Following this, with the incitement, assistance, and involvement of then-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, then-Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, and other senior authorities, law enforcement agencies and armed “Awami terrorists” allegedly carried out widespread and systematic attacks on unarmed students and civilians.
2. Orders to kill protesters using lethal force
The second charge accuses Sheikh Hasina of ordering the extermination of protesters through the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons.
The implementation of this order was allegedly carried out by Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, amounting to crimes against humanity through command, assistance, involvement, and conspiracy.
3. Murder of Abu Saeed
The third charge relates to the killing of Abu Saeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. Sheikh Hasina and the other two accused have been charged with incitement, conspiracy, assistance, and involvement in his death.
4. Shooting of six protesters in Dhaka
The fourth charge pertains to the killing of six protesters by law enforcement personnel on August 5, 2024 in the Chankharpul area of Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina and her co-accused are alleged to have committed crimes against humanity through orders to kill, incitement, assistance, conspiracy, and direct involvement.
5. Burning six people alive in Ashulia
The fifth charge accuses Sheikh Hasina and the other two of being responsible for the burning alive of six unarmed civilians in Ashulia, constituting a grave crime against humanity.
The tribunal stated that these charges encompass incitement, provocation, conspiracy, failure to prevent crimes, and direct involvement in systematic attacks against civilians, categorising them as serious crimes under international law.
