The Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member, Salahuddin Ahmed, stated on Monday that justice has been served with the death sentence handed down to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in connection with the crimes against humanity committed during the July鈥揂ugust 2024 genocide.
Salahuddin made these remarks following his participation in a seminar organised by the White Panel Teachers of Dhaka University.
In his initial response to the verdict, Salahuddin emphasised that the ruling at the International Crimes Tribunal marked a significant milestone.
鈥榃hile the punishment may not be entirely proportional to the severity of the crimes, this verdict sends a clear message that no future government or individual will be allowed to devolve into fascism, autocracy, or dictatorship,鈥� he said.
He further asserted that the verdict demonstrates that, regardless of how entrenched or powerful fascist forces may become, they will eventually be held accountable for their actions.
Salahuddin also noted that several other cases are still pending, but justice will ultimately prevail in those as well.
Earlier in the day, the ICT sentenced Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for their roles in the genocide. The third accused in the case, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, was spared the death penalty, instead receiving a five-year prison sentence for his cooperation as a state witness.
