ICT listening to updates on dying sentence to ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, former Minister Kamal
On Monday (November 17), the three-member Tribunal, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder, learn the abstract of 453-page verdict consisting of six sections in absence of Ms. Hasina and Ms. Khan. The different members of the Tribunal are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. The ICT began studying the decision round 12:30 p.m. Bangladesh Television broadcasted the decision stay from the courtroom of ICT-1. Earlier, Prosecutor Tajul Islam had appealed for the very best punishment for Sheikh Hasina on this case.
Mr. Abdullah Al-Mamun was introduced earlier than the Tribunal round 9:10 a.m., in a jail van beneath heavy safety. Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha, brother of Mir Mugdha who was killed in the course of the July rebellion, got here to listen to the decision on the Tribunal the place he mentioned, “For the injustice and brutality dedicated by Sheikh Hasina, even a thousand dying sentences wouldn’t be sufficient. It just isn’t solely essential to announce the decision, however she should even be introduced again to the nation as quickly as the decision is delivered, and the punishment should be executed on the soil of this nation.”
Leaders and activists from numerous political and social organisations gathered outdoors the International Crimes Tribunal as the decision within the case in opposition to Ms. Hasina was being learn out. A gaggle of scholars additionally gathered within the TSC space of Dhaka University. They had been seen chanting slogans demanding the execution of f Sheikh Hasina.
Unrest has erupted in a number of elements of the nation surrounding the decision. A two-day lockdown known as by Ms. Hasina’s Party Bangladesh Awami League has been noticed for the final two days. The social gathering activists introduced out processions in a number of locations protesting the decision. Several Awami League leaders and activists have additionally been arrested. Crude bombs had been additionally blasted in identical locations together with in entrance of the workplace of National Citizen Party (NCP) that led the July rebellion in opposition to Hasina final 12 months.
Tribunal verdict places Dhaka on excessive alert
Centering the decision, Dhaka is on excessive alert, heavy safety has been deployed across the International Crimes Tribunal. From the Supreme Court premises to the Tribunal compound, members of the Army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been positioned in giant numbers. Since Monday (November 17) morning, the Tribunal and its surrounding areas have been positioned beneath a decent safety cordon. Security personnel had been seen sustaining strict vigilance across the Supreme Court. Army members had been seen stationed close to the Mazar Gate within the capital, whereas police, the RAB, and different legislation enforcement models patrolled each inside and outdoors the Tribunal premises. Under the initiative of Ministry of Cultural Affairs, giant screens had been arrange at key areas throughout the capital to broadcast the proceedings, permitting the general public to observe the decision in actual time. The verdict has additionally been streamed stay for audiences world wide. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has instructed police personnel to open fireplace if anybody makes an attempt to torch autos or hurl crude bombs that endanger lives.
Ahead of the decision, a bunch of protesters claiming affiliation with an organisation known as “Red July” introduced two excavators to demolish the remaining parts of the home of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka round 12:00 p.m. Army and police charged batons on the protesters. At least two sound grenades had been lobbed to disperse the protesters.
Following the autumn of Awami League Government on August 5, 2024, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) was reconstituted. The first case (a miscellaneous case) taken up by the reorganised Tribunal concerning crimes in opposition to humanity dedicated in the course of the July mass rebellion was filed in opposition to Ms. Hasina. On October 17, final 12 months, the primary listening to of the reconstituted Tribunal was held, and on the identical day, an arrest warrant was issued in opposition to Sheikh Hasina.
54 witnesses testify, ex-IGP turns into approver
Initially, Ms. Hasina was the only real accused within the case. On March 16, 2024, the prosecution sought to incorporate former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as a co-accused together with Ms. Hasina, and the Tribunal granted the request. After a number of extensions, the Tribunal’s investigation company submitted the investigation report back to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor on May 12, 2025.
On June 1, the prosecution submitted formal prices in opposition to all three accused.
Ms. Hasina and Mr. Khan stay fugitives and Mr. Abdullah Al-Mamun is the one accused beneath arrest. On the day prices had been framed (July 10), Mr. Abdullah Al-Mamun admitted involvement in crimes in opposition to humanity dedicated in the course of the mass rebellion and utilized to grow to be an “approver” (state witness). Arguments within the case started on October 12 and concluded on October 23. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam demanded the dying penalty for Ms. Hasina and Mr. Khan for crimes in opposition to humanity in the course of the July rebellion.
State-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain represented fugitive accused Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman. In arguments, he sought acquittal for each. The lawyer for approver Abdullah Al-Mamun, Zayed Bin Amjad, additionally sought acquittal. The prosecution listed 81 witnesses. Of them, 54, together with Mr. Abdullah Al-Mamun and the investigation officers, testified earlier than the Tribunal. The prosecution’s cost sheet was 135 pages lengthy, accompanied by 8,747 pages of paperwork and proof.
A complete of 5 prices have been introduced in opposition to Ms. Hasina and the 2 different accused within the case. These embrace: delivering inciting speeches; ordering the elimination of protesters utilizing deadly weapons; the capturing and killing of Abu Said — a scholar of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur; the capturing and killing of six protesters within the Chankharpul space of the capital; and the killing of six individuals by burning them in Ashulia.
