Sheikh Hasina indicted; Bangladesh Supreme Court restores Jamaat-e-Islami

DHAKA: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid has been indicted, Bangladeshi media reported on Sunday.

Sheikh Hasina was booked for crimes against humanity. Former Home Minister and Inspector General (IG) of Police have also been declared co-accused. As per Bangladeshi media, the case was filed in connection with the killings that took place in July and August.

Sheikh Hasina has been declared the main planner and responsible in the case.

Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam had said on May 12 that Sheikh Hasina faces at least five charges, including “abetment, incitement, complicity, facilitation, conspiracy and failure to prevent mass murder during the July uprising”.

The hearing of the former premier’s case is expected to be broadcast live on state-owned Bangladesh Television.

JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI RESTORED

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Supreme Court has restored the registration of political party Jamaat-e-Islami.

The Court has withdrawn the decision to cancel the registration, while allowing the party to register with the Bangladeshi Election Commission. Jamaat-e-Islami will now also be eligible to participate in the upcoming elections as a political party.

The party was deregistered during Sheikh Hasina’s government.

A few days ago, the Bangladesh Supreme Court had also overturned the death sentence of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Azharul Islam. He had been sentenced to death in 2014 for rape, murder and genocide during Bangladesh’s 1971 war with Pakistan, AFP reported.

Jamaat-e-Islami had appealed for a review of the 2013 high court order banning it after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August. The party notably supported Islamabad during the 1971 war, and the party leaders were rivals of Sheikh Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of the Awami League, who would become Bangladesh’s founding figure.

Hasina banned Jamaat-e-Islami during her tenure and cracked down on its leaders.

Also read: Bangladesh court begins first trial of Hasina-era officials