2013 Shapla Chattar Crackdown: ICT Issues Arrest Warrants for 5 including Hasina, Imran

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants against five individuals, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, over alleged crimes against humanity related to the crackdown on 2013 Hefajat-e Islam protest at Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar in Dhaka.

The tribunal also issued warrants against Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, former home minister; Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, former IGP; and Imran H Sarker, Gonojagoron Mancha spokesperson.

The order was passed today by a three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, following a prosecution plea.

The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam and Prosecutor Mizanul Islam, argued in favor of the arrest warrants, citing allegations of serious human rights violations.

According to the prosecution, four other accused individuals have already been arrested and are currently in custody: Shamsul Haque Tuku, former state minister for home affairs; Shahidul Haque, former IGP; Major General (sacked) Ziaul Ahsan; and Mollah Nazrul Islam, former police official.

The case originated from a complaint filed by Hefajat-e Islam with the ICT chief prosecutor’s office on November 27, 2024. The complaint named 50 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, for their alleged roles in the crackdown.