Bangladesh court issues warrants for 17 police officers in mass killing cases

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - A national court in Bangladesh on Sunday issued arrest warrants for 17 police officers, including the former Dhaka Metropolitan Police chief, on charges of mass killing and crimes against humanity.

The International Crimes Tribunal stated that it found prima facie evidence of genocide against all the accused officers.

The court in Dhaka also announced the arrests of 20 former ministers, lawmakers, police, and military officials from the previous government led by ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

These arrests are tied to similar charges of mass killings that reportedly occurred during the student-led protests in July and August, which ultimately led to Hasina fleeing to neighboring India on Aug. 5.

Following her departure, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed head of a transitional government on Aug. 8, meeting the demands of the protesting students.

The tribunal has instructed authorities to bring the accused individuals to court by Nov. 20. This order was issued by the three-member tribunal, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, after an appeal from the chief prosecutor, Mohammad Tajul Islam.

Islam told reporters that investigators found evidence of “inhuman activities violating international laws” involving the police officers and other officials from the previous Hasina administration.

Earlier, on Oct. 17, the court issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 46 top officials of her government, including her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and her sister Sheikh Rehana, on similar charges of mass killing and crimes against humanity during the student protests.

The student-led protests, which demanded political reforms and accountability, saw at least 736 people killed and over 22,000 injured, many with bullet wounds, from violent clashes with police, other law enforcement, and Awami League supporters.