The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday concluded the trial of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun in a case over crimes against humanity during the July 2024 uprising.
The three-member bench, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, said that the tribunal would fix a date on November 13 to pronounce its verdict.
The tribunal wrapped up the proceedings after hearing closing arguments from attorney general Md Asaduzzaman and chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, who both sought death sentences for Hasina and Asaduzzaman. They argued that exemplary punishment was necessary to prevent any future government from committing similar atrocities against the people.
The prosecution, however, did not seek any punishment for former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who turned approver in the case, leaving his fate to the tribunal.
State-appointed defence counsel Amir Hossain, representing the absconding Hasina and Asaduzzaman, sought their acquittal, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove the elements of widespread and systematic attacks or superior command responsibility as defined under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, and relevant provisions of the Rome Statute and Geneva Conventions.
The July 2024 uprising left around 1,400 people dead and more than 25,000 injured, according to tribunal records.
