New trouble for Sheikh Hasina: Second genocide charge against her in Bangladesh

News from Bangladesh: On Monday, there was renewed cause for concern for deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh: new proceedings were initiated against her and 26 other people, including ministers from her former cabinet, at the country's International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity.

The suit was filed by the father of one Shahriar Hasan Alvi, who was killed during the anti-government protests that led to Hasina's resignation. The plaintiff, Alvi's father Md Abul Hasan, attached several newspaper clippings and other documents to his suit.

Besides Hasina and her cronies, Hasan has also demanded prosecution of 500 other unnamed people, Bangladesh's state-run news agency BSS reported. The complaint was reportedly filed with the ICT's investigation agency. The other prominent accused in the complaints are former ministers Obaidul Quader, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Huq Inu and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdullah Al Mamun, the report said.

Last week, a separate complaint was filed with the ICT's investigation agency against Hasina and eight others, accusing them of committing genocide and crimes against humanity during the student-led protests. The tribunal began its investigation into the case on Wednesday.

Hasina fled to India on August 5 after resigning from her post amid unprecedented unrest in Bangladesh. The country's caretaker government has said it will bring to justice those involved in the killings during the massive protests against Hasina's government.

More than 230 people were killed in violence across Bangladesh following the overthrow of the Hasina government. The death toll has now risen to over 600 since the nationwide unrest over a controversial quota system began in mid-July.

(With inputs from PTI)