Bangladeshi court issues arrest warrant for former leader

A Bangladeshi court issued an arrest warrant today against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been charged with abetting murder, a news report said.

Hasina was in the US when authorities in Bangladesh formally charged her in a case involving the deaths of four protesters in a riot in October.

She stopped in the UK on her way back from the US, and was expected to board a flight from London to Bangladesh later today.

Metropolitan magistrate Meer Ali Reza issued the arrest warrant today, the United News of Bangladesh agency reported.

Officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Local media reported last week that she would be refused entry to the country, and that authorities have told airlines not to allow her to board any incoming flights.