- Former Bangladesh PM Hasina issues statement on X through her son.
- Many people died “in the name of the revolution” in July, says Hasina.
- The former prime minister plans to return to Bangladesh after a decision on new elections.
DHAKA: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called 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 were killed in the demonstrations that began as protests against job quotas but evolved into a movement seeking Hasina's ouster.
Hasina's statement, issued on X through her son, came hours after a court ordered an inquiry into her role in the death of a grocery store owner during the protests.
Many people died “in the name of the revolution” in July, Hasina said.
“I demand that those involved in these murders and acts of vandalism be properly investigated and that the culprits be identified and punished accordingly,” he said.
Other members of her government also face criminal charges: former law minister Anisul Huq and Hasina aide Salman F Rahman have been arrested for allegedly “instigating” the murder of two people, police said on Tuesday.
The case against Hasina — the first after the protests — was filed by Amir Hamza and accepted by the Dhaka metropolitan magistrate's court after a hearing, Hamza's lawyer Anwarul Islam said, adding that police had been ordered to investigate.
Among the six others accused in the case are Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Hasina's Awami League party, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and senior police officials.
Hamza, the alleged shopkeeper Abu Saeed, was hit by a bullet while crossing the street on July 19 when 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 went to court because Saeed's family could not afford to file the case.
“I am the first common citizen who has shown the courage to take this legal action against Sheikh Hasina for her crimes. I will bring the case to an end,” Hamza said. Reuters.
Hasina could not be immediately reached for comment. Quader's phone was switched off, while Kamal did not answer his phone when he was… Reuters I tried to communicate with him.
Bangladeshi student leader Nahid Islam, now part of the interim government, recently said Hasina should face trial for killings that occurred during her tenure.
Hasina plans to return to Bangladesh when the interim government decides to hold elections, her son said.
