The interim government of Bangladesh has revoked the passports of 97 individuals, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing their alleged involvement in killings during the July uprising and incidents of enforced disappearances, local media reported.
Of the total, 22 passports were revoked due to alleged connections to enforced disappearances, while 75, including Hasina’s, were tied to the violence during the July uprising, which reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths. The announcement follows an arrest warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against Hasina and 11 others for enforced disappearances. The tribunal has ordered their arrest and scheduled their appearance in court on February 12.
The ICT’s chairman, Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, issued the warrant, emphasising the need for a comprehensive investigation. The Inspector General of Police has been tasked with ensuring the accused are apprehended and presented before the tribunal.
This is the second arrest warrant issued against Hasina, who fled to India following the collapse of her Awami League-led government amid unprecedented anti-government protests in August. Complaints of crimes against humanity and genocide during the July-August mass uprising have further intensified legal scrutiny.
Also read:Bangladesh issues second arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina
Prosecutors allege that Hasina’s administration established a culture of state-sponsored enforced disappearances. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters that elite law enforcement units such as the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) were frequently used to abduct individuals, with many victims never returning.
Last month, the interim government formally requested Hasina’s extradition from India. While New Delhi acknowledged receiving the request, it has refrained from commenting publicly.
The ICT has recorded multiple cases against Hasina, including accusations of genocide and crimes against humanity. A commission established by the interim government has reported 1,676 complaints of enforced disappearances during her tenure, alleging that 27% of victims remain unaccounted for.
