Sun May 25 11:46:43 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Bangladesh has begun the first trial at a special court prosecuting former officials of Sheikh Hasina’s government for crimes against humanity related to the killing of protesters in 2024. The trial focuses on eight police officials accused in connection to the deaths of six protesters on August 5, 2024, the day Hasina fled the country. The prosecution is confident in its evidence, including video footage and voice recordings. This trial is a key demand of political parties vying for power ahead of elections scheduled for before June 2026. The trial comes after a brutal crackdown on protests that led to an estimated 1,400 deaths and the self-imposed exile of Sheikh Hasina in India, who is also facing calls for extradition.
**News Article:**
**Bangladesh Begins Trial of Ex-Officials Over 2024 Protest Deaths**
**Dhaka, Bangladesh – May 25, 2025** – The first trial of former officials from the ousted government of Sheikh Hasina began in Dhaka on Sunday, marking a significant development in the aftermath of the deadly 2024 protests. The special court is prosecuting eight police officials accused of crimes against humanity in connection to the deaths of six protesters on August 5, 2024, the day Ms. Hasina fled Bangladesh.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam told reporters that the prosecution is confident in securing convictions based on substantial evidence. “We have submitted as much evidence as required to prove crimes against humanity, both at a national and an international standard,” Islam stated, citing video footage of the violence and voice recordings allegedly showing Ms. Hasina ordering the use of lethal force against protesters.
The charges stem from a brutal crackdown on student-led protests against Hasina’s 15-year rule. The United Nations estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed during the government’s efforts to suppress the uprising between July and August 2024.
Four of the accused are currently in custody, while the remaining four, including former Dhaka Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman, are being tried in absentia. Ms. Hasina remains in self-imposed exile in India, ignoring extradition requests from Dhaka.
The trial is considered a key demand of several political parties currently vying for power ahead of elections scheduled to take place before June 2026 under the supervision of an interim government. The outcome of this trial and potential future proceedings are expected to significantly impact the political landscape of Bangladesh.
The court is the same International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) initially established by Hasina in 2009 to investigate war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War, but that critics say was also used to persecute her political rivals.
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