Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to return for trial after fleeing protests, son says

Long-time Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina is ready to face trial back home after fleeing protesters on Monday, her son Sajeeb Wazed told Reuters.

“The threat of arrest has never scared my mother before,” he said from Washington on Saturday.

“My mother has done nothing wrong. Just because people in her government did illegal things, did not mean my mother ordered it. That does not mean my mother is responsible for that.”

Students who led the protests have demanded Ms Hasina face trial after Bangladesh saw five weeks of intense violence, killing at least 455 and injuring thousands.

The demonstrations which eventually ousted the leader rose from discontent over a job quota system which prioritised veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war.

Students accused the government of using the system to benefit supporters of Ms Hasina’s Awami League party, which spearheaded the independence movement.

The protests soon flared into nationwide unrest, reflecting broader frustrations about the economy, corruption and an authoritarian turn under Ms Hasina’s government.

Police were caught on camera throwing tear gas and stun grenades and opening fire on demonstrators, while the government shut down internet and communication services across the nation.

Mr Wazed did not say who in the government was responsible for allowing the shooting of people during the protests.

“A government is a big, big machinery,” he said.
“Those who are responsible, they should be brought to justice.”

“My mother absolutely did not order anyone to commit violence against the protesters.”

After a national security cabinet meeting earlier this month, Ms Hasina urged security forces to increase violence used against the protesters.

She insisted the protesters were not students but “terrorists who are out to destabilise the nation”.

“I appeal to our countrymen to suppress these terrorists with a strong hand,” she said.
Mr Wazed still said police “were trying to stop the violence” and only “some” used excessive force.

“Our government immediately, and I was part of those conversations, I also told my mother, we need to immediately tell [our students wing] not to attack, stop the violence,” he said.

“We suspended the police officers that shot at students. We did everything we could.”

Anti-government protesters marched on Ms Hasina’s official residence on Monday, prompting her to flee to Delhi in a military helicopter with her sister.

Bangladesh Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman announced at the time that Ms Hasina had handed in her resignation.

“The country is going through a revolutionary period,” he said in a televised address.
“I request you all to be a little patient, give us some time and together we will be able to solve all the problems.”

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament on Tuesday after consulting with military chiefs and opposition politicians, forming an interim government.

Mr Wazed said Ms Hasina had not resigned before fleeing and therefore the interim government “can be challenged in court”.
“My mother never officially resigned. She didn’t get the time,” he said.

“She had planned to make a statement and submit her resignation.

“But then the protesters started marching on the prime minister’s residence. And there was no time. My mother wasn’t even packed.”
“As far as the constitution goes, she is still the prime minister of Bangladesh.”

Mr Wazed also said the Awami League would contest the next election, which he said must be held within three months.

“I’m confident the Awami League will come to power. If not, we will be the opposition. Either way is fine,” he said.

He said he was encouraged by a recent statement from Khaleda Zia, chief of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a foe of Ms Hasina, that there should be no revenge or vengeance after the former prime minister fled.

Source: ABC News