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Bangladesh Speaker Accuses Sheikh Hasina of Disappearances and Killings
Bangladesh’s Speaker accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of being responsible for disappearances and killings during her time in office.
He said victims and their families have given evidence to an international crimes court.
He also claimed that Hasina knew what happened to missing people while publicly comforting their families.
The Speaker mentioned Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem as an example of someone held for many years in a secret detention system.
He said Quasem was released after Hasina left the country.
The facility network was called Aynaghar, or “House of Mirrors.”
The Speaker also accused the former government of corruption.
He pointed to allegedly very expensive purchases connected to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
These claims were made during a public meeting in Bhola.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad accused ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of masterminding enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her tenure.
He said evidence and victim testimony before the International Crimes Tribunal established Hasina’s direct responsibility for ordering the alleged abuses.
Hafiz alleged that Hasina consoled families of missing people while knowing their detention status or fate.
He cited the detention of Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, who was reportedly held for eight years in the secret facility network known as Aynaghar.
The Speaker also alleged corruption under the former Awami League administration, including inflated procurement costs and property-related embezzlement claims.
- Who
- Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and criticized the former Awami League administration.
- What
- He alleged responsibility for enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, secret detention, and institutional corruption.
- Where
- The remarks were made at the Lalmohan Upazila Parishad auditorium in Bhola, Bangladesh.
- When
- The alleged abuses occurred during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure; the accusations were made at a recent view-exchange meeting, with no specific date provided.
- Why
- Hafiz said evidence and testimony before the International Crimes Tribunal demonstrated responsibility for human-rights violations and criticized alleged corruption under the previous administration.
Speaker’s Allegations
Reported Conduct of Former Government
Responsibility for disappearances and killings
Speaker’s Allegations
Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said Sheikh Hasina was the primary mastermind and that tribunal evidence established her direct responsibility.
Reported Conduct of Former Government
The article presents no response from Sheikh Hasina or representatives of her former government to these accusations.
Treatment of families of missing people
Speaker’s Allegations
The Speaker alleged that Hasina knowingly offered condolences and assurances to families while their relatives were detained or had died.
Reported Conduct of Former Government
The article does not provide the former prime minister’s account of these meetings or address the allegation.
Government corruption
Speaker’s Allegations
Hafiz cited allegedly inflated procurement prices and alleged embezzlement involving hundreds of London properties as evidence of corruption under the former administration.
Reported Conduct of Former Government
The article does not include a response from the Awami League or officials accused in connection with the procurement and property allegations.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad
- Main accusation
- Sheikh Hasina was accused of masterminding systematic enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
- Evidence cited
- The Speaker referred to evidence and testimony from victims before the International Crimes Tribunal.
- Detention case
- Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem was reportedly held handcuffed and in solitary confinement for eight years in Aynaghar.
- Facility name
- Aynaghar means “House of Mirrors” and was described as a network of secret detention facilities.
- Procurement allegations
- The Speaker cited reports of Tk 60,000 pillows and Tk 42,000 curtains connected to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.
- Property allegation
- A former state minister for land was accused of embezzling funds to acquire 360 properties in London.
Sources
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