The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued a show-cause notice to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over a controversial comment allegedly made in an audio recording that went viral online.

The prosecution on Sunday (May 25), formally submitted the complaint to the tribunal, which ordered that public notices be published in two newspapers asking her to appear and explain the remark, “I have received the license to kill 226 people.”

The statement was allegedly made by Sheikh Hasina during a virtual conversation with party members and was later confirmed through forensic testing by the CID.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam stated on April 30 that the remark was intended to obstruct the justice process, intimidate police and witnesses, and undermine ongoing war crimes trials.

Hasina, who fled to India after being removed from power by a mass uprising, frequently addresses party leaders and activists virtually from various locations.

Several such recordings have been shared online, including one in which a female voice is heard saying that 226 murder cases have been filed against her. She is then heard claiming that this means she has a license to kill, as the punishment for one murder is the same as for hundreds.

The tribunal has asked her to respond to the allegation by appearing before it, as part of the ongoing legal process.

MSK/