President of the Awami League and five-time Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has vehemently condemned and protested the insults directed at army officers.
โI am shocked at how the army is expected to hand these officers over to the law. Where is the law? There is no rule of law in this country. This government is illegitimate, and all its actions are unlawful. Why should these officers be surrendered to such a regime?โ she stated during a virtual meeting with party leaders from Naogaon.
Sheikh Hasina expressed concern that Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zamanโs name might soon appear on the list of those targeted.
โNo matter how much he complies or appeases, he will eventually see the true nature of Jamaat, BNP, and Yunus. I know them well. I understand who they are and what they are capable of,โ she remarked.
She sharply criticised the army chief for his inaction following the issuance of arrest warrants against approximately 29 army officersโranging from lieutenant general to serving officersโby the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD).
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โWe established the tribunal to try those who opposed Bangladeshโs independence. However, they have amended the tribunalโs laws so extensively that it has become a โYunus Courtโ or โJamaat Courtโโa court controlled by war criminals,โ she asserted.
Sheikh Hasina lamented that those who protect Bangladeshโs sovereignty and independence are now being tried in the same court meant to punish its enemies. โThe army chief remains silent on this matter. He speaks of the rule of law and the Constitution. But did Yunus come to power constitutionally? No, he did not. His seizure of power violates the Constitution,โ she said.
She further highlighted the unconstitutional removal of the Chief Justice through intimidation and mob violence, as well as the unlawful appointments of new judges and the Attorney General. โThere are no rules. The ICT-BD itself was not established according to the Constitution,โ she added.
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โWhen they issue warrants against army officers, how can they claim to act constitutionally? Where is the Constitution in this? What does โconstitutional actionโ even mean in this context?โ Sheikh Hasina questioned.
She described the situation as a profound insult to the officers, their families, and their relatives. โThese are honourable officers with unblemished records. Yet today, they are being victimised,โ she said.
Hasina accused the current regime of systematically targeting key institutions. โFirst, they attacked the Awami League, minority communities, and the police, dismantling the police force. Now, they are working to destroy the army. Why? They are undermining Bangladeshโs independence, sovereignty, and socio-economic progressโeverything we have built.โ
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