The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tajul Islam, revealed that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, went to Ganobhaban on August 5 and held her feet, pleading for her resignation.

He shared this information while presenting a written investigation report before the tribunal judges on Sunday (May 25).

Tajul Islam stated, “Sheikh Hasina tried to hold on to power until the very last moment. Despite the risk of increased violence and bloodshed, she was determined to control the situation. On the morning of August 4, she exerted pressure on top officials of various state forces for nearly an hour.”

He added, “She was unwilling to accept that the situation had spiraled out of control. Eventually, after family members intervened, she agreed to resign. She promptly submitted her resignation letter and secretly left the country by military helicopter, accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana.”

On the same day, the tribunal also ordered Sheikh Hasina and former Chhatra League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul to appear in court and instructed that a public notice be published in newspapers.

The contempt of court case against them arose from comments related to the July uprising. Although they were asked to submit written responses by May 15, they failed to do so. Subsequently, the tribunal ordered them to appear on May 25, but they did not comply.

The Chief Prosecutor requested that public notices be published in two newspapers giving them seven days to appear, warning that further action would be taken if they failed to comply. The tribunal then directed the registrar to issue these notices.