The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for suspected war crimes. The Tribunal system has set a date of February 12, 2025, for her surrender, signifying a momentous shift in Bangladesh's political and legal environment. According to the report in Bangladesh’s Daily Star, the list of persons against who an arrest warrant is issued included former Defence Adviser, Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed.

The warrants are for two cases associated with allegations of extrajudicial murders and disappearances by force. The panel, presided by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, issued the orders in response to the prosecution's two petitions demanding the arrest of the 11 persons. The charges against Sheikh Hasina reportedly arise from allegations of human rights violations and abuses during her tenure as Prime Minister.

The Daily Star reported that, in its order, the tribunal had ordered the authorities to arrest Sheikh Hasina and others and produce them by February 12. Additionally, Sheikh Hasina, 77, has been residing in India since August 5, leaving Bangladesh after massive student-led protests overthrew her 16-year tenure. Hasina is presently facing several court charges relating to the deaths that occurred during her tenure, including allegations of having committed crimes against humanity.

In the meantime, the Ministry of External Affairs stated on Friday that India had gotten a demand for extradition for Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh. In the weekly briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokeswoman, said, "We have confirmed that we have received a request from Bangladesh regarding Hasina's extradition." Beyond this, I have nothing else to say."

This was confirmed after Bangladesh's interim administration, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, issued a formal message to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs asking for Hasina's extradition. Earlier in October, the ICT issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 other prominent Awami League figures, including former ministers and bureaucrats.

The arrest warrants were issued for crimes against humanity during the July-August uprising—the ICT, headed by ICT Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder issued the order.

More than 60 charges of crimes against humanity and genocide have been filed with the ICT investigation agency against former Hasina and many members of her party.