DHAKA: Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina called on Tuesday for action against those involved in “killings and vandalism” in the country last month, her first comments since violent protests forced her to flee to India.
Around 300 people died in the demonstrations that began as protests against employment quotas but spiralled into a movement seeking Hasina’s overthrow.
Hasina’s statement, issued on X through her son.
Many people died “in the name of revolution” in July, Hasina said.
“I demand that those involved in these killings and vandalism be properly investigated and the culprits be identified and punished accordingly,” she said.
Other members of her government also face criminal action, with former law minister Anisul Huq and Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman arrested for allegedly “instigating” the murder of two people, police said on Tuesday.
The case against Hasina — the first following the protests — was filed by Amir Hamza and accepted by Dhaka’s chief metropolitan magistrate’s court after a hearing, Hamza’s lawyer Anwarul Islam said, adding that police have been ordered to investigate.
Six others accused in the case include Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of Hasina’s Awami League party, former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and senior police officials.
Hamza alleged grocer Abu Saeed was hit by a bullet while crossing the street on July 19 as police fired on protesters in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area.
The complainant blamed Hasina, who had called for strong action to quell the violence, for the shooting.
Hamza said he was not related to Saeed but approached the court because Saeed’s family could not afford to file the case.
“I am the first ordinary citizen who showed the courage to take this legal step against Sheikh Hasina for her crimes. I will see the case to an end,” Hamza told Reuters.
A court in Bangladesh opened a murder investigation into ousted ex-premier Sheikh Hasina and six top figures in her administration Tuesday over the police killing of a man during civil unrest last month.
More than 450 people were killed during the weeks of unrest leading up to her toppling.
“A case has been filed against Sheikh Hasina and six more,” said Mamun Mia, a lawyer who brought the case on behalf of a private citizen.
He added that the Dhaka Metropolitan Court had ordered police to accept “the murder case against the accused persons”, the first step in a criminal investigation under Bangladeshi law.
Mia´s filing with the court also named Hasina´s former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of Hasina´s Awami League party.
It also names four top police officers appointed by Hasina´s government who have since vacated their posts.
The case accuses the seven of responsibility for the death of a grocery store owner who was shot dead on July 19 by police violently suppressing protests.
The Daily Star newspaper reported that the case was brought on behalf of Amir Hamza Shatil, a resident of the neighbourhood where the shooting happened and a “well-wisher” of the victim.