A Bangladeshi court has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August following her removal from power by a student-led uprising.

On Thursday, Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, announced the court's decision. "The court has ordered the arrest of Sheikh Hasina and for her to be brought before the court on November 18," he stated.

Hasina, 77, led Bangladesh for 15 years, during which her government faced accusations of severe human rights violations, including the detention and extrajudicial killings of political opponents.

Islam further noted that Hasina was among those responsible for crimes against humanity during the unrest between July and August, describing it as a "significant day" for Bangladesh.

Since fleeing the country, Hasina has not been seen in public, with her last known location being a military airbase near New Delhi, India. Her presence in India has strained relations between the two countries, with Bangladesh revoking her diplomatic passport.

Although India and Bangladesh have an extradition treaty that could facilitate her return to face trial, a provision within the treaty allows for refusal of extradition if the offense is deemed political in nature.

Hasina's government initially established the controversial International Crimes Tribunal in 2010 to investigate war crimes committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. The tribunal has faced criticism from the United Nations and human rights organizations for procedural issues and has been perceived by some as a tool for eliminating political rivals.

Several charges relating to the "mass murder" of protesters are currently under investigation by the court.