Murder Case Opened Against Bangladesh Ex-Premier Sheikh Hasina

In relation to the police killing of a man amid civil unrest last month, a court in Bangladesh started a murder probe on Tuesday against former premier Sheikh Hasina and six other senior officials in her administration.

After protesters swarmed Dhaka’s streets a week ago, as demonstrators filled Dhaka’s streets, Hasina, 76, fled by helicopter to neighboring India, bringing an abrupt end to her tight-lipped government.

“Sheikh Hasina and six others are the targets of a lawsuit,” stated Mamun Mia, an attorney representing an individual client. He further stated that, in accordance with Bangladeshi law, police must accept “the murder case against the accused persons,” as directed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Court.

Asaduzzaman Khan, Hasina’s former home minister, and Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of Hasina’s Awami League party, were also named in Mia’s court filing.

It also listed four high-ranking police officers, including former police inspector general Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who were appointed by Hasina’s administration but have subsequently left their positions.

In addition, prominent Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials Habibur Rahman and Biplob Kumar Sarker were named, as well as Detective Branch Chief Harun-or-Rashid.