Bangladesh is on high alert as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prepares to announce the verdict date in the case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, during the July 2024 uprising. The announcement, scheduled for Thursday, November 13, has sparked widespread tension across the country. Security forces, including the army and police, have been deployed to key locations, including airports and major installations, to maintain order. Over the past two days, incidents of vehicle arson and crude bomb explosions have been reported in Dhaka and other regions, further escalating concerns. The Bangladesh Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, has called for a nationwide dawn-to-dusk lockdown on Thursday, urging citizens to participate. However, the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has banned the party’s activities, forcing leaders to organize through social media from undisclosed locations. Police have launched nationwide operations to arrest Awami League leaders and activists, while security checkpoints have been established on major roads. The July 2024 student-led uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government, prompting her to flee to India on August 5, 2024. The interim government has since initiated legal proceedings against her in the ICT, which was originally established by her administration to prosecute crimes during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. Testimonies in the case have concluded, and the tribunal is set to announce the verdict date on Thursday.
Bangladesh on high alert ahead of court fixing verdict date in case against Sheikh Hasina
