'Muhammad Yunus government weaponising judiciary': Sheikh Hasina's son

Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in August following a deadly protest against reservations in government jobs.

Published on: Dec 25, 2024, 17:24:52 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Sajeeb Wazed, son of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has said that the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government is "weaponising the judiciary” to launch a political witch hunt against the leaders of his mother's party, the Awami League leadership.

Sajeeb Wazed, son of former Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina. (Facebook photo)

Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in August following a deadly protest against reservations in government jobs. She fled the country in a military helicopter and took refuge in India. Later, Yunus formed an interim government.

The interim government on Monday said it had sent a diplomatic note to India seeking Sheikh Hasina's extradition.

Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former cabinet ministers, advisers and military and civil officials for “crimes against humanity and genocide.”

Also read: Sheikh Hasina’s son accuses Yunus-led Bangladesh govt of launching ‘witch hunt’

Wazed said in a social media post that members of the judiciary appointed by the Yunus government launched a witch hunt to persecute Awami League leadership.

"The judges and prosecutors appointed by the unelected Yunus-led regime to conduct farcical trial process through International Crimes Tribunal makes it a political witch hunt that forsakes justice and marks another ongoing onslaught to persecute Awami League leadership,” Wazed said in his post on Tuesday.

An IT entrepreneur, Wazed is based in the US and was an ICT adviser in Hasina's government.

Also read: Bangladesh launches $5 billion corruption probe against Sheikh Hasina's family

“The kangaroo tribunal and subsequent request for extradition comes while hundreds of leaders and activists are extrajudicially killed, framing of outrageous murder charges, illegal incarceration of thousands by law enforcement and violent attacks including looting vandalism and arson going on with impunity everyday fuelled by denial of the regime,” he added.

India and Bangladesh's relations have soured since Hasina's ouster. There are tensions between the two countries over the persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

On Monday, India confirmed receiving the 'note verbale' or diplomatic communication from the Bangladesh High commission in New Delhi but refrained from commenting on it.

Also read: Bangladesh anti-graft panel alleges Sheikh Hasina involved in corruption in nuclear plant

Wazed further accused the chief prosecutor of ICT Tribunal, Tajul Islam, of defending war criminals. He claimed that he reportedly spread a "deliberate disinformation campaign” against Hasina by claiming that Interpol issued a red notice against her.

“But the prosecutor later altered his statement following media exposure of the outright lie and now officially sent a request to India for the extradition,” Hasina's son said.

“We reiterate our position that every single incident of human rights violation between July and August needs to be investigated in a free and fair manner but the Yunus-led regime weaponised the judiciary, and we express no confidence in the justice system,” he alleged.

With inputs from PTI

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.