Awami League to face trial if charges filed, Bangladesh minister says

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the Awami League will face trial if investigators file charges, stating the government has asked for the investigation to be expedited. "Awami League is responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity as an organisation," Ahmed told reporters at the home ministry.

He explained that amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act now permit organizations, not just individuals, to be tried for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. However, Ahmed ruled out banning any political party through an executive order. "We want everything to happen judicially and through the legal process. This is the BNP's position, and it has been our principled position from the beginning," he said.

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Awami League is responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity as an organisation.

Regarding Sheikh Hasina's potential return, Ahmed stated the government wants her extradited from India under a bilateral treaty and has sent reminders. "We want her back, and we want her to face justice," he said. Hasina will be arrested upon return as she has already been convicted, with any opportunities for surrender or appeal to be determined by the courts. India will decide the mode of her return.

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We want everything to happen judicially and through the legal process. This is the BNP's position, and it has been our principled position from the beginning.

Preparations for local government elections are ongoing, with union parishad polls anticipated around September or October, depending on the monsoon. Bangladesh has completed legal formalities to bring back four fugitives arrested abroad: three in India for the Osman Sharif Hadi murder case and one in Abu Dhabi following an Interpol red notice. The UAE has received the necessary documents, but the return of the three from India may be delayed due to pending cases there.

Ahmed also addressed reports of Bangladeshis joining the Arakan Army in Myanmar, stating the government has no information but will investigate. He alleged that some groups are exploiting student protests to embarrass the government, claiming some protesters are not students or examinees. Students who missed exams due to bad weather will be allowed to retake them, and the education ministry will investigate reported errors in physics questions. The minister blamed automatic passes and inflated marks during the Awami League's tenure for a decline in educational standards. He also announced a tougher anti-narcotics law and plans to strengthen the Department of Narcotics Control.

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We want her back, and we want her to face justice.