Investigation Launched into the Murder of Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister

August 13, 2024 TruthUSA

A Dhaka court has initiated an investigation into the alleged involvement of Sheikh Hasina, the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister, in the death of a grocery shop owner during the recent riots in the city.

The case was filed by businessman Amir Hamza against Hasina and six others, and was accepted by the chief metropolitan magistrate’s court in Dhaka after a hearing on Aug. 13, as confirmed by Hamza’s lawyer Anwarul Islam.

Hamza accused Hasina of being responsible for the death of grocer Abu Saeed on July 19, amidst police firing on student protesters in the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka.

This is the first legal action taken against Hasina following the violent protests, which claimed the lives of approximately 300 individuals, many of whom were students.

Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for more than two decades and served as prime minister on two occasions, resigned and sought refuge in India on Aug. 5, where she remains in self-exile.

Other individuals implicated in the case are Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of Hasina’s political party, former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and senior police officials.

Hamza, unrelated to Saeed, took the initiative to file the case due to financial constraints faced by Saeed’s family.

“I am the first ordinary citizen to take legal action against Sheikh Hasina for her alleged crimes. I intend to see this case through,” Hamza stated to Reuters.

Hasina and Quader have yet to address the accusations made against them.

Nahid Islam, a former Bangladeshi student leader now part of the interim government, insists that Hasina should face trial for the casualties that occurred during her tenure.

The student-led protests commenced as a demonstration against government job quotas but transformed into an anti-Hasina movement.

Hasina, the longest-serving female head of government in the country, won her fourth consecutive term in January amidst controversy, prompting criticism from the U.S. and UK governments regarding the credibility of the elections.

Following her resignation, unrest persisted on the streets of Bangladesh, resulting in the deaths of numerous police officers and widespread strikes, although authorities have started resuming duties.

The White House refuted claims suggesting U.S. involvement in Hasina’s downfall due to strategic interests in Bangladesh’s Saint Martin Island.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre denied these allegations during a press briefing, asserting that the future of the Bangladeshi government should be determined by its people.

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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