Officials declared on Wednesday that Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, and nine other persons were charged with "genocide and crimes against humanity" during the weeks-long violent demonstrations that claimed hundreds of lives before her removal.

Senior International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) officer Ataur Rahman informed local media, "We formally registered a complaint in this connection, and an investigation into the case has been launched."

The ICT is a court in Bangladesh that focuses on prosecuting cases involving crimes against humanity and genocide.

Following the investigation's conclusion, the ICT will forward its findings to prosecutors, who will choose the appropriate course of action.

The case was submitted to the ICT on behalf of the father of a ninth-grade student who was shot and killed by police on August 5 during a protest outside of Dhaka by Supreme Court attorney Gazi Tanim.

The case also named the nation's former police head, three other police officers, and four prominent members of Hasina's Cabinet.

The petitioner said that by killing unarmed citizen protestors against the government, the accused had planned, executed, and committed crimes against humanity and genocide.

The month-long demonstrations calling for an end to the government's discriminatory job quota system resulted in a widespread rebellion against Hasina's government and the alleged deaths of over 500 people.