The International Crimes Tribunal chief prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam on Thursday concluded his five-day argument in one crimes against humanity case over the 2024 atrocities, seeking death sentences for deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
Tajul told the three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, that Hasina and Asaduzzaman bore superior command responsibility for the killing of about 1,400 people and the injury of 25,000 others during the 36-day student-led uprising that ended Hasina鈥檚 17-year rule on August 5, 2024.
The chief prosecutor, however, did not seek any punishment for former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, the lone accused present before the court, saying the tribunal could decide his fate as he had provided truthful testimony as an approver in the case.
Following the prosecution鈥檚 conclusion, state-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain, representing the absconding accused Hasina and Asaduzzaman, is expected to begin his arguments on Monday, after which the tribunal will set a date for the verdict.
This is the first case against Hasina to reach the verdict stage among ten cases pending before the two International Crimes Tribunals, including two related to enforced disappearances and others linked to the July uprising.
Nearly one hundred individuals, mostly Awami League leaders and members of law enforcement agencies who served under Hasina鈥檚 government, are facing trial in these cases.
The trio is being tried for their command responsibility in committing atrocities during the July 2024 uprising.
