Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today postponed the hearing on charge framing in a significant crimes against humanity case involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The hearing has been rescheduled for July 7, as the tribunal deliberates on their alleged roles in the crimes committed during the July-August Mass Uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, granted a request for additional time made by Advocate Amir Hossain, the state-appointed defense counsel for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Hossain cited his recent appointment on June 25 and subsequent illness, which hindered his ability to thoroughly review the case documents. Initially, the defense counsel requested a 15-day extension but later amended the plea to a minimum of seven days.
Advocate Zayed Bin-Amjad, representing former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, chose not to present arguments at this stage of the proceedings. Earlier in the day, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam detailed the five charges against the accused trio and urged the tribunal to frame charges.
On June 17, the ICT-1 publicized notices in two national newspapers, mandating that Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal surrender by June 24. Despite this, the two accused did not present themselves in court, prompting the tribunal to schedule the charge framing hearing for today. The tribunal's June 16 order directed the publication of these notices, emphasizing the need for the fugitives to appear before the court.
The tribunal had initially accepted the formal charges on June 1, with a subsequent order issued on June 16 for further proceedings. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam revealed that the whereabouts of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were traced to India, according to police sources. The tribunal then instructed relevant authorities to issue public notices in national dailies, urging the fugitives to surrender within seven days, and setting June 24 for the next order.
The charges against the former prime minister and her co-accused, as filed by the prosecution, encompass five allegations. The ICT's investigation agency submitted its probe report on May 12, detailing the crimes against humanity and mass killings linked to the case.