War crimes tribunal set up by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina begins investigation into her on charges of 'mass murder' | World News

A tribunal set up by ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to investigate war crimes in Bangladesh has launched three investigations into alleged mass murder allegations against her, AFP reported on Monday.

More than 450 people were killed, many by police firing, during a month of student protests against Hasina's 15-year rule. She resigned as prime minister and fled to India on August 5.

According to the tribunal's investigator, the unrest that prompted Hasina to leave the country is at the heart of these investigations.

Ataur Rahman, deputy director of the tribunal's investigation department, said preliminary evidence was being collected, adding that the cases amounted to “mass murder”.

He said all three cases were filed by private individuals and that several of Hasina's former top advisers were also named.

The cases concern violence in the areas around the capital Dhaka, including Mirpur, Munshiganj and Savar.

Local police units have filed at least 15 cases against Hasina across the country, local media reported. Some of these cases predate the recent unrest and include charges of murder and “crimes against humanity.”

Bangladesh's International Criminal Court (ICT), established by Hasina in 2010, investigates atrocities committed during the country's liberation war against Pakistan. Under Hasina's leadership, the ICT has sentenced over 100 people to death, including several political opponents.

Human rights groups criticize the ICT for its disregard for international conventions. Hasina's government is accused of widespread human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of political opponents.

On Friday, the United Nations reported that there was strong evidence that Bangladeshi security forces had used excessive force in their response to the student-led uprising.

“There are strong indications that the security forces used unnecessary and disproportionate force in their response and that further independent investigations are needed,” said a preliminary report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The report also highlighted alleged violations, including extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment.

With AFP inputs