Dhaka, November 17 (The Daily Times of Bangladesh) – The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday sentenced deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.
A three-member bench of ICT-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered the verdict in the case. The other judges are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
For the first time in the history, the country saw a verdict announcement in a case live on state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV).
The charges
Count-1: Hasina along with two others face charges of murder, attempted murder, torture and inhumane acts by law enforcement and armed Awami League cadres.
Count-2: They face charges of ordering the use of lethal weapons, helicopters and drones to subdue student protesters.
Count-3: It relates to Abu Sayed murder on 16 July, where the trio issued orders, incited, abetted, facilitated, conspired and were complicit.
Count-4: Defendants are accused of orchestrating 5 August Chankharpul killings of 6 unarmed protesters through orders, incitement, and complicity.
Count-5: It relates to shooting dead five protesters and injuring one. It also accuses the trio of burning the five dead bodies and another protester alive.
On 13 November, the tribunal set the verdict date for the three accused — Hasina and Asaduzzaman and Mamun. While Hasina and Asaduzzaman remain at large, Mamun cooperated with the tribunal and provided testimony as a state witness.
The charges relate to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. According to the tribunal, Hasina delivered “inciting” remarks at a press conference at Ganabhaban on 14 July 2024, which prompted a student-led mass protest.
In response, she allegedly authorised the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons against the demonstrators.
The indictment also includes incidents such as the killing of student Abu Saeed at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, the shooting of six protesters in Chankharpul, Dhaka, and the burning deaths of six individuals in Ashulia.
Earlier, the prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity against the three accused, based on a probe report filed by the ICT investigation agency on 12 May. The tribunal framed the charges against the trio on 10 July.
The formal charge sheet spans 8,747 pages, including 2,018 pages of reference materials, 4,005 pages of seizure lists and documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages detailing the list of martyrs.
A total of 54 prosecution witnesses including the father of July martyr Abu Sayed and NCP Convener Nahid Islam testified in the case and were cross-examined by the defence counsel.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to walk the gallows
Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has been sentenced to death in four counts of a case filed for crimes against humanity committed during July Uprising last year.
The tribunal also sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death on charges brought against her in the same case.
Security was tightened in and around the tribunal ahead of the verdict. Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and army personnel were deployed at the premises. Eyewitnesses reported heavy security presence around the Supreme Court, while army personnel were also positioned near the Mazar Gate.
On 13 November, ICT-1 set Monday as the date for the verdict. The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Mohammad Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, fixed the schedule.
The charges
Count-1: Hasina along with two others face charges of murder, attempted murder, torture and inhumane acts by law enforcement and armed AL cadres.
Count-2: They face charges of ordering the use of lethal weapons, helicopters and drones to subdue student protesters.
Count-3: It relates to Abu Sayed murder on 16 July, where the trio issued orders, incited, abetted, facilitated, conspired and were complicit.
Count-4: Defendants are accused of orchestrating 5 August Chankharpul killings of 6 unarmed protesters through orders, incitement, and complicity.
Count-5: It relates to shooting dead five protesters and injuring one. It also accuses the trio of burning the five dead bodies and another protester alive.
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