Awami League Slams Arrest Warrant Against Sajeeb Wazed, Calls Tribunal a ‘Kangaroo Court’
Party alleges political vendetta by interim government; says charges are baseless and violate human rights
GG News Bureau
Dhaka, 5th Dec: Bangladesh’s Awami League on Friday sharply criticised the arrest warrant issued by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against Sajeeb Wazed, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, calling the move “absurd, baseless, and politically motivated.”
The tribunal on Thursday reportedly took cognisance of formal charges accusing Wazed—who earlier served as the Prime Minister’s ICT Advisor—of shutting down the internet and committing crimes against humanity during the July–August 2024 demonstrations, which erupted after an internet blackout.
Awami League leaders rejected the allegations outright, arguing that the ICT had no legal mandate to even consider such charges. Established in 1973, the tribunal was created exclusively to try individuals involved in 1971 Liberation War crimes, and its jurisdiction does not extend to contemporary political events.
‘People Already Know It’s a Kangaroo Court’
In its strongly worded statement, the Awami League said the Bangladeshi public had already labelled the tribunal a “kangaroo court” being misused for political retaliation.
The party accused interim government Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus of weaponising state institutions to target political opponents.
“Yunus—the representative of illegal usurpers, killers, fascists, and anti-liberation forces—is using this Tribunal to carry out his political vendetta,” the statement read.
The Awami League alleged that Yunus was attempting to undermine the legacy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reverse the spirit of the Liberation War, and push the country toward the “ideology of Pakistan.”
Claim: Charges Impossible, Wazed Was Abroad
The party further emphasised that Sajeeb Wazed was not in Bangladesh during the period cited in the charges.
“During the militant uprising of July–August 2024, Sajeeb Wazed was abroad—a well-known and proven fact,” it said.
The Awami League noted that since the interim administration is controlled by “militants and terrorists,” Wazed has no realistic ability to appear before the tribunal, making the arrest warrant a violation of basic human rights.
‘Blueprint to Leave Bangladesh Leaderless’
The party alleged a broader conspiracy aimed at dismantling Bangladesh’s democratic framework and neutralising its leadership.
It accused Yunus of orchestrating a “calculated plot” to destabilise the nation by bringing “false, illogical, and absurd” charges against Wazed to render the Awami League leaderless.
Awami League Vows Resistance
Reaffirming its commitment to resist any attempt to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty, the Awami League vowed to fight back politically and legally.
“The people of Bangladesh stand with us. Together, we will resist any conspiracy that targets the spirit of the Liberation War and our democracy,” the party declared.
As tensions escalate between the interim administration and the Awami League, the situation continues to fuel political uncertainty in Bangladesh—raising fresh concerns over the rule of law, institutional independence, and the nation’s democratic trajectory.
