ICT imposes ban on broadcast of Hasina’s ‘hate speech’

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has imposed a ban on the broadcast of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's  ‘hate speech’ on mass media and social media platforms. 

Additionally, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has been instructed to remove the hate speech from social media.

A three-member ICT bench, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza, passed the order on Thursday following a petition filed by the prosecution team.

Sources stated that Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to India following a mass uprising, has allegedly made derogatory remarks about the interim government on social media in recent days. These statements have spread widely across various social media platforms. The prosecution filed the petition requesting the court to halt the broadcast of these hate speeches.

On November 18, the ICT instructed that the investigation against Sheikh Hasina be completed within a month in relation to the July-August genocide case. A progress report on this matter must be submitted by December 17.

In addition, following the mass uprising, more than 150 allegations, including abductions, killings, and genocide, have been filed against Sheikh Hasina, as well as leaders from the Awami League, the 14-party alliance, and former senior officials of law enforcement agencies. Among those arrested are 25 individuals, including 10 former ministers.