Fifth Day of Testimony Begins Against Sheikh Hasina in July Massacre Case

The fifth day of testimony in the case of crimes against humanity related to the July-August 2024 uprising began against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The proceedings started on Monday, August 18, 2025, after 11 a.m. at the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mazumder.

Three witnesses are scheduled to provide their statements today: Rabiul, brother of martyr Imam Hasan Taim; Jasim, an eyewitness; and Enam, a July movement activist. In this case, Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are named as accused. Mamun has admitted his involvement and turned state’s witness, while Hasina and Kamal remain fugitives. So far, nine witnesses have testified in this case. On August 17, four witnesses—vegetable vendor Abdus Samad, Mizan Miya, student Naim Shikdar, and Shahina Begum, mother of martyr Sajjad Hossain Sajal—gave their statements. Their testimonies were cross-examined by state-appointed lawyer Md. Amir Hossain, representing Hasina and Kamal. The session on that day began after 11 a.m. and continued until 5:15 p.m., with a break in between. The prosecution was represented by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, along with Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, Faruk Ahammad, Moinul Karim, Abdus Sattar Palowan, and others. Earlier today, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was brought to the tribunal from prison. Previous testimony sessions occurred on August 6, when two eyewitnesses, Rina Murmu and AKM Moinul Haque, testified, and on August 4, when injured student Abdullah Al Imran and day laborer Parveen, who lost her eyesight, gave statements. Both held Hasina and others responsible for their plight and demanded maximum punishment. The first witness, Khokon Chandra Barman, an injured activist, testified on August 3 following the prosecution’s opening statement. On July 10, 2025, the tribunal formally charged Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun with five counts of crimes against humanity and ordered the trial to begin. The charge sheet spans 8,747 pages, including 2,018 pages of references, 4,005 pages of seized documents and evidence, and 2,724 pages detailing the list of martyrs. The case includes 81 witnesses.

On May 12, 2025, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted the investigation report to Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, who, after review, filed it as a formal charge with the tribunal