Fifth Day of Evidence Collection Begins Against Sheikh Hasina, Kamal in International Crimes Tribunal

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has commenced the fifth day of evidence collection in the case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.

On Monday (August 18), the proceedings began in the morning at ICT-1, led by Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder. On this day, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who turned state witness from being an accused, was presented in court.

Previously, on August 6, during the third day of hearings, two eyewitnesses, Rina Murmu and AKM Moinul Haque, provided testimony. So far, a total of five witnesses have testified in this case, all demanding justice for the accused. The allegations involve the killing of 1,400 students and civilians during the July-August movement, with charges of incitement, provocation, and issuing orders for the killings. Sheikh Hasina faces five specific charges, including calling students "children of Razakars" on July 14, ordering gunfire from helicopters, the killing of Abu Sayeed in Rangpur, the murder of six students including Anas at Chankharpool, and the burning of six bodies in Ashulia. These charges include crimes against humanity such as provocation, incitement, failure to prevent crimes, and conspiracy. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year due to a mass uprising, the ICT was reconstituted. The first case (miscellaneous case) in the reconstituted tribunal was filed against Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity committed during the uprising. Under the principle of superior command responsibility, three individuals were named as accused in this case. On May 12, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted a probe report to the Chief Prosecutor. After scrutiny, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam formally submitted the charges, which span 8,747 pages, including 2,018 pages of references, 4,005 pages of seizure lists and documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages detailing the list of martyrs. A total of 81 witnesses are listed. On June 1, the tribunal accepted the formal charges against Sheikh Hasina and two others. On June 16, the tribunal ordered Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to appear in court. When they failed to appear despite public notices in newspapers, the tribunal proceeded with framing charges. On July 10, ICT-1 formally framed the charges and ordered the trial to begin. The ICT was initially established in 2010 by the Awami League government to try war crimes from 1971. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the interim government reconstituted the tribunal to try Sheikh Hasina and her associates for crimes against humanity. On October 17, the tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in India since leaving Bangladesh.

In addition to this case, two other cases are pending against Sheikh Hasina in the ICT: one related to enforced disappearances and murders during her 15-year rule, and another concerning the killings during a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. Allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the Awami League government, its cadres, and loyal law enforcement during the July-August movement have been filed, with trials ongoing in two ICTs. The interim government has amended laws to try the Awami League as a party for its role in the crackdown. Parties like Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP have demanded that the trials of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League be completed before the elections.