CID notice in newspapers declares Hasina, 260 others fugitives

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police has published a notice newspapers, declaring deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 260 others fugitives in a sedition case, report agencies.

The notice was printed in two national dailies, The Daily Star and Amar Desh, on Friday, following approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and an order from the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrates' Court, the CID said in a statement.

The case was filed over allegations that the accused had joined a Zoom meeting of the 'Joy Bangla Brigade' to conspire against the interim government.

The CID said Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam had ordered the publication of the fugitive notices on Thursday, naming 261 individuals.

The case was filed on March 27 by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Enamul Haque. On July 30, he submitted a charge sheet against Hasina and 285 others. The court accepted the charge sheet on August 14 and issued warrants for arrest of all the accused. On September 11, it also imposed travel bans on them.

The complaint alleges that on December 19 last year, several hundred leaders and activists joined a Joy Bangla Brigade Zoom meeting led by Rabbi Alam, vice-president of the US Awami League.

During the meeting, Hasina allegedly made 'anti-state remarks' and called for the removal of Muhammad Yunus as chief of the interim government.