Bangladesh Tribunal Issues Arrest Warrant Against Sheikh Hasina's Son Over Protest Crackdown

A Bangladesh war crimes tribunal has issued an arrest warrant for Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on charges of committing crimes against humanity during student-led protests in July 2024. The warrant comes as a court in Dhaka sentenced Hasina to five years in prison and death for corruption and human rights abuses. The tribunal also took into account allegations against another government official, Junaid Ahmed Palak, who is accused of irregularities in land allocations in a major urban development project in Dhaka. According to reports, Hasina has been sentenced to 21 years in prison in three separate cases related to the land allocation scandal, while Joy faces five years in prison and a fine of Tk 100,000 in one case. The arrest warrant against Joy was issued by the ICT-1 tribunal, which is now holding trial against Hasina and her family members. The development comes as Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus continues to crack down on Hasina's family and allies. Joy is currently residing in the United States, while Hasina fled to India after the student uprising last year. The latest move by the tribunal marks a significant escalation in the government's efforts to hold Hasina and her family accountable for their alleged roles in the country's recent unrest.