The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday set November 17 to deliver its verdict in the crimes against humanity case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.
The trio faced the trial in the case for their alleged superior command responsibility in committing atrocities against the protesters during the July uprising that ousted the Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024. The atrocities left at least 1,500 people dead and more than 25,000 injured across the country.
鈥榃e have decided to deliver the verdict on Monday,鈥� the three-member tribunal chairman, Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, announced after consulting with his two colleagues for a few seconds after taking their seats at around noon.
Two other members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Hoque Anam Chawdhury.
The verdict date was announced amid tight security measures surrounding the tribunal, with heavy deployment of the members of the army, the Border Guard Bangladesh, and the police, along with armoured vehicles, since Wednesday night.
The lone detained accused, Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, was in the dock. He has turned a state evidence.
Hasina and Asaduzzaman are still absconding and faced the trial in absentia. They are now staying in India.
Before the announcement of the date, chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam congratulated Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder and Justice Md Shafiqul Alam Mahmood as they were regularised as High Court judges a day ago.
Present in the courtroom were the chief prosecutor, other prosecutors, Mamun鈥檚 defence counsel Zayed Bin Amjad, Hasina and Asaduzzaman鈥檚 state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain and his two juniors, and tribunal staff.
The proceeding lasted only a few seconds.
The verdict date was announced amid low public movement in the capital amid heightened tension, as crude bombs exploded, vehicles were set on fire, and flash processions of the Awami League and its supporters were brought out in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country until early Thursday.
The untoward incidents occurred after the Awami League had announced on social media to enforce a 鈥楧haka Lockdown鈥� for Thursday, the day the tribunal was scheduled to announce the verdict date in the case against Hasina, Asaduzzaman and Mamun.
This will be the first verdict in a case of crimes against humanity linked to the July uprising atrocities.
Tribunal chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam later told reporters that the prosecution had promised to bring to justice all those, no matter how powerful, who committed crimes against humanity.
鈥榃e believe that the accused will finally face the justice they deserve,鈥� he said.
Tajul hoped that the judges would deliver justice to a long-waiting and justice-thirsty nation by exercising their prudence.
鈥榃e expect exemplary punishment for ensuring justice for the July uprising victims and their families, and to prevent such crimes in the future,鈥� he added.
He said that the trial was conducted transparently, with live evidence broadcast for the first time in the country鈥檚 judicial history.
The three accused face charges of abetment, conspiracy, incitement, complicity, and failure to prevent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhuman acts committed during the uprising.
The prosecution did not seek punishment for former IGP Mamun, who testified as state evidence, and left his fate to the tribunal.
State-appointed defence counsel Amir Hossain sought acquittal for Hasina and Asaduzzaman, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove the case against his clients.
On May 12, the ICT Investigation Agency submitted its probe report to the chief prosecutor鈥檚 office.
The chief prosecutor pressed the charges before the tribunal on June 1.
On July 10, the tribunal took cognisance of five charges against the accused.
The trial began on August 3 and concluded on October 23.
A total of 54 witnesses testified to prove the charges.
The first charge accused the trio of inciting the July violence. Hasina allegedly provoked attacks on protesters by calling them 鈥榮ons and grandchildren of Razakars鈥� on July 14, 2024.
The second charge links to an order for lethal action as she allegedly instructed the DU vice-chancellor and law enforcement agencies to 鈥榟ang or kill鈥� protesters and directed the use of live fire and drones against them.
The third charge is linked to the killing of Abu Sayeed. The accused allegedly ordered police and ruling party activists to open fire on unarmed protesters at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, killing student leader Abu Sayeed on July 16, 2024.
The fourth charge is connected to killings during the March to Dhaka programme. Six unarmed protesters were allegedly killed during the 鈥楳arch to Dhaka鈥� on August 5, 2024.
The fifth charge is linked to an arson attack on protesters at Ashulia. Five protesters were allegedly burned alive near Ashulia Police Station the same day, with another injured protester thrown into the fire.
On July 2, the tribunal sentenced Hasina to six months in jail for contempt of court over a leaked phone call, made while in India, in which she said, 鈥業 have had 227 cases filed against me, so I have a licence to kill 227 people.鈥�
