Highlights – Al Mamun and Waqar-uz-Zaman were appointed by Sheikh Hasina herself. Waqar-uz-Zaman is even considered a relative of Hasina, but both betrayed Sheikh Hasina when the time came. Because of this, Sheikh Hasina has now been sentenced to death.
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Bangladesh’s International Tribunal Court (ICT) has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death. The court found Hasina guilty of the July Uprising. In July 2024, Bangladeshi students revolted against Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, and police opened fire to suppress the uprising. 1,400 people were killed in the firing incident.
Two of Sheikh Hasina’s closest associates played a key role in securing her death sentence. It is being said that if these two close associates had not been in Bangladesh, the prosecution would have struggled to gather evidence against Sheikh Hasina.
Who are the two individuals who betrayed Sheikh Hasina?
1. Waqar Uz Zaman – Currently the Chief of the Army Staff of Bangladesh. He is also considered a relative of Sheikh Hasina. He was appointed Chief of the Army Staff of Bangladesh in June 2024, but he betrayed Hasina.
According to Bangladesh’s former Home Minister, Waqar-uz-Zaman had met with the United States. It was at his behest that the rioters were not controlled. When things got out of hand, Waqar informed Sheikh Hasina.
It was at Waqar’s behest that Sheikh Hasina submitted her resignation. Waqar told Hasina that she could return as soon as the situation calmed down. However, as soon as Hasina left, Waqar initiated the process of forming an interim government.
2. Al Mamun – Former Inspector General of Police of Bangladesh. He was also named alongside Sheikh Hasina in the July uprising, but during the trial, Mamun became a government witness. Mamun gave high-level testimony in the entire case. Mamun mentioned things in court that were only a topic of discussion in Bangladesh.
As soon as Mamun spoke about giving government testimony, an audio clip went viral in Bangladesh. In this audio, Sheikh Hasina is heard asking the police chief to open fire on the rebels. Al Mamun has benefited from becoming a government witness.
A Bangladesh court sentenced Al Mamun to five years in prison. He has been in jail for the past 17 months.
The big question: What will happen next for Sheikh Hasina?
The Bangladesh government will obtain a warrant against Sheikh Hasina through Interpol. It will then be handed over to the Indian government. After this, it will depend on India’s decision regarding Sheikh Hasina. However, general elections are scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in six months. The largest party, the BNP, has called for a lenient approach in Sheikh Hasina’s case.
BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul said, “We will not engage in vendetta politics. We will withdraw the cases against Sheikh Hasina if we come to power.” However, the BNP has not clarified what types of cases will be withdrawn.
