New Delhi: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has dismissed the allegations of crimes against humanity brought against her and said she remains unfazed as a key court verdict approaches. In an audio message to her supporters, she described the charges as fabricated and claimed the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is attempting to dismantle her party.
Hasina asserted that the Awami League’s strength lies in its deep-rooted public support and not in the backing of individuals who seize power. She praised her supporters for responding robustly to recent protests in Bangladesh and expressed confidence that the people would ultimately hold the current administration accountable.
The 78-year-old leader left Bangladesh for Delhi last year after widespread demonstrations against her government turned violent. She resigned before departing the country. After the interim government took charge, she was accused of human rights abuses and summoned to appear before the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka. She did not comply with the order.
Addressing her followers, she urged them not to panic, stating that she remains determined to serve the people and return to political life. She accused Yunus of forcibly removing elected representatives and claimed that such actions violated the constitution. She said her government had accepted the demands of the student protesters during the unrest, but additional conditions kept emerging with the intention of creating chaos.
Rejecting accusations of repression during her rule, Hasina pointed to her decision to shelter a large number of Rohingya refugees as evidence of her humanitarian approach. She criticised the interim authorities for granting amnesty to individuals accused of violent crimes, arguing that this denied justice to victims’ families.
She expressed sorrow over the destruction and looting of Gonobhaban following her ouster, but said the residence belonged to the state rather than to her personally. She also denounced the violence as lawlessness rather than revolution.
Hasina reaffirmed her commitment to her supporters, vowing that the party would recover and that accountability would eventually follow. She claimed the interim administration’s policies have led to rising unemployment, economic instability and failing industries. Calling for unity, she urged citizens to remain steadfast in their efforts to restore stability in Bangladesh.
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