DHAKA – Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a scathing counter-attack on Monday after being sentenced to death in absentia by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for “crimes against humanity.”
The Awami League chief, who denied all charges, released a statement asserting the verdict was a political maneuver by an “unelected government with no democratic mandate.” She claimed the ruling exposed the “brazen and murderous intent of extremist figures” within the current administration.
Hasina sharply criticized the judicial process itself, labeling the ICT a “rigged tribunal.” She maintained that the court failed to provide either herself or the Awami League party a “fair chance to defend themselves.”
The former prime minister further alleged profound judicial bias, pointing out that the tribunal’s judges and lawyers had “publicly expressed sympathy for the current administration.”
The interim government, headed by Nobel Peace laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus, was the primary target of her statement. Hasina accused the administration of using the trial as a distraction and a means “to scapegoat the Awami League.”
“[The trials] were never intended to achieve justice,” Hasina said. “Rather, their purpose was… to distract the world’s attention from the failings of Dr Yunus and his ministers.”
Hasina claimed the administration was overseeing a “breakdown of public services and law enforcement.” She alleged that under the current government, “…Hindus and other religious minorities are assaulted, and women’s rights (have been) suppressed.”
She concluded with a warning that “Islamic extremists inside the administration, including figures from Hizb-ut-Tahir, seek to undermine Bangladesh’s long tradition of secular government.”
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