Dhaka: The prosecution at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today concluded placing their arguments in a case against three persons including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over their alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising. At the end of prosecution arguments, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, chairman of the three members’ panel of the tribunal, adjourned the hearing till October 20. The defence is scheduled to start placing their arguments on that day.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam presented various forms of evidence, including documentaries on the July Mass Uprising and audio records of telephonic conversations involving Sheikh Hasina. The prosecution linked these to the systematic suppression of the uprising. A total of 54 prosecution witnesses, including the father of July martyr Abu Sayed, National Citizen’s Party Convener Nahid Islam, and journalist Mahmudur Rahman, testified and were cross-examined by the defence counsel.
Advocate Amir Hossain, the state-appointed counsel for fugitives Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, cross-examined the witnesses. Another accused, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, pleaded guilty earlier and became an approver. On June 17, ICT-1 published notices asking Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender by June 24, 2025, under the tribunal’s procedural rules, with proceedings to continue in absentia if they fail to comply.
The tribunal issued these notices after formal charges were submitted on June 1, based on a probe report dated May 12. Chief Prosecutor Tajul informed the court that Hasina and Kamal were absconding, with intelligence reports indicating their presence in India. The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killings against the accused, with charges framed on July 10.