Former Bangladesh PM Hasinas lawyer claims involvement of domestic and foreign forces behind her ouster

New Delhi: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's lawyer has claimed that 'domestic and foreign forces' were behind the August uprising last year that led to her ouster from power and made Muhammad Yunus the interim chief of the government.

The claims were made at the International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday which is trying Hasina in cases of 'crime against humanity'. The lawyer said that it was those forces that brought Yunus to power in Bangladesh.

In August 2024, a mass movement took place against Sheikh Hasina and her government on the issues of reservation for the families of 'Muktijoddhas' (those who fought in the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan), corruption, and lawlessness.

According to state-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain, who is also representing former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Hasina did not resign from the post of the PM after the uprising but was compelled to 'leave for India'. Hossain claimed when National Citizen Party convenor Nahid Islam, a key leader of the uprising, was cross-examined in the ongoing case.

He said, "We do not intend to involve Muhammad Yunus unnecessarily, but this point was raised only in reaction to witness statements. Hasina never ordered the use of helicopters or lethal weapons to suppress the movement. On the contrary, she did everything possible to protect lives, safeguard property, and maintain law and order." The lawyer added, "No crimes against humanity were committed during July-Aug 2024. The accused are not guilty."