Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today convicted and sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to six months in jail in a contempt of court case. The tribunal also sentenced banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader Shakil Akand Bulbul to two months’ imprisonment. The judgment was delivered by the three-member ICT-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tribunal declared that the sentences would be effective from the day of their arrest or surrender. The hearing saw participation from Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, state defense counsel Amir Hossain, and amicus curiae AY Moshiuzzaman.
The ICT-1 had previously adjourned the case hearing on June 25, allowing a time plea filed by amicus curiae senior advocate AY Moshiuzzaman. At this juncture, Advocate Aminul Gani Tipu withdrew from representing Sheikh Hasina and Bulbul, citing a conflict of interest, leading to the appointment of Advocate Amir Hossain as the new state defense counsel. The court had earlier appointed senior jurist AY Moshiuzzaman as amicus curiae to ensure a transparent trial process.
As both defendants failed to appear despite newspaper notices, the court took additional measures for transparency. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim highlighted the court’s actions, aimed at ensuring fairness in the trial. The prosecution’s complaint centered on a telephonic conversation of the former premier, where she allegedly claimed to have “license to kill 227 people.”
With Sheikh Hasina and Bulbul not providing explanations by the tribunal’s deadlines and failing to appear on the specified dates, the tribunal ordered the publication of notices in national dailies Jugantor and New Age. These notices summoned the accused to clarify the contempt of court allegations by June 3, following their initial absence on the earlier dates set by the tribunal.