Politics
Death Row Sheikh Hasina Faces Three More Charges; Army Officials Sent to Jail in Enforced Disappearance Cases.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in absentia for a crime against humanity, is currently facing three more critical cases before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
The death sentence, delivered on Monday (November 17) by the ICT, relates to a crime against humanity case stemming from the July uprising. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also handed sentences of life imprisonment and death on various charges in the same verdict. In a related development, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun received a five-year sentence after pleading guilty and turning state witness.
This death sentence follows a previous conviction in July of this year where Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court, based on an audio recording where she stated she had “received a license to kill 226 people,” which the prosecution argued was an attempt to obstruct the judicial process.
Army Officials Jailed in Two Enforced Disappearance Cases
Out of the three pending cases, formal charges have been submitted in two enforced disappearance cases. On October 8 this year, the ICT took cognizance of the formal charges against Sheikh Hasina and 27 others in connection with high-profile disappearances during the former Awami government’s tenure and issued arrest warrants.
The Chief Prosecutor, Mohammad Tajul Islam, noted that the charges involve abductions, confinement in secret detention cells, torture, and killings carried out by errant members of RAB and DGFI against political activists, journalists, and bloggers.
In a recent turn of events, several army officers, who are accused in these two cases, appeared before the court on November 17 and were subsequently ordered to be sent to jail. The next hearing for these cases is scheduled for November 23.
Shiplu Chattar Case Under Investigation
The third case concerns the May 5, 2013, Shapla Chattar killings. Sheikh Hasina and 20 others are accused in this case, brought forward by leaders of the Hefazat-e-Islam group. The deadline for submitting the investigation report in this case has been extended to January 12.
Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Manch, has undergone a primary surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being shot earlier on Friday. Hospital director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman confirmed in the evening that Hadi was being transferred to Evercare Hospital following a decision by his family.
According to the hospital authorities, Hadi suffered a bullet injury to the head and additional injuries to the chest. The injury to his leg is believed to have occurred when he fell from the rickshaw during the attack. Although the family initially considered transferring him to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), they later opted for Evercare Hospital, which has already been prepared to receive him.
Hadi was shot at around 2:20 pm on Friday while travelling by rickshaw along the Bijoynagar culvert road. Unknown assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at him and fled the scene. A bullet pierced just below his left ear. His colleagues rescued him and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 2:40 pm.
Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident, as no information about the attackers or the motive has yet been confirmed.
Tensions flared at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday as supporters of Sharif Osman Hadi reacted angrily to the arrival of BNP candidate Mirza Abbas. Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Manch, is currently undergoing treatment after being shot earlier in the day.
Around 4 pm, Mirza Abbas reached the hospital’s emergency entrance, where Hadi’s supporters began chanting “fake, fake” slogans against him. The situation quickly became heated, prompting army personnel on site to escort Abbas inside under security. Supporters continued chanting outside the emergency unit.
After checking on Hadi’s condition, Abbas left the hospital around 4:30 pm without speaking to the media.
Earlier, around noon, Hadi was shot by assailants who approached on motorcycles while he was traveling by rickshaw in Bijoynagar. Following his admission, additional police and army personnel were deployed around Dhaka Medical College Hospital, including at the emergency gate. An army vehicle entered the hospital premises at 3:50 pm.
Hadi had previously reported receiving threats from around 30 domestic and international phone numbers last November. In a Facebook post on 14 November, he stated he had been threatened with murder, arson at his home, and sexual violence against his mother, sister and wife.
Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate from Dhaka-8 and spokesperson for Inquilab Manch, is now on life support after being shot in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on Friday. Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed his critical condition in a briefing given after 4 pm.
Hospital authorities reported that the bullet penetrated inside Hadi’s head after entering through the area beneath his left ear. Emergency physician Dr Mostak Ahmed said Hadi was in extremely critical condition upon arrival and was given CPR before being shifted to life support.
The attack occurred around 2:20 pm in the Box Culvert area of Bijoynagar when assailants on two motorcycles opened fire at Hadi and fled immediately. Misbah, who brought him to the hospital, said Hadi had just finished Juma prayers and was travelling by rickshaw when the attackers fired at him.
Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman said police were still gathering details, but initial reports suggest Hadi was on a rickshaw when motorcycle-borne gunmen shot him.
Last month, Hadi claimed he had received threats from around 30 domestic and international phone numbers. In a Facebook post on 14 November, he alleged threats of murder, arson at his home, and sexual violence targeting his mother, sister, and wife