Bangladeshi ex-premier Sheikh Hasina has demanded an investigation into the protests that ousted her, in her first public statement since her abrupt resignation and flight abroad last week.

She said in a written statement given to journalists through her US-based son that those involved in the killings and acts of vandalism be properly investigated and the culprits be identified and punished.

Meanwhile, a court in Bangladesh opened a murder investigation into Hasina and six top figures in her administration over the police killing of a man during civil unrest last month.

The 76 years old fled by helicopter to neighbouring India a week ago, where she remains, as protesters flooded Dhaka’s streets in a dramatic end to her iron-fisted tenure.