The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday sentenced deposed prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death, and jailed former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun for five years, in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July鈥揂ugust 2024 mass uprising.
The tribunal 鈥� delivering its first verdict broadcast live 鈥� said Mamun turned state witness during the proceedings. He gave confessional statements and was dropped from the list of main accused, but was handed a five-year jail term for his role in the events.
Hasina and Asaduzzaman, now believed to be in hiding in India, were tried in absentia. Mamun, currently in jail, testified in detail before investigators.
A three-member bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder announced the judgment in the morning, while Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and retired district judge Mohammad Mohitul Hoque Anam Chawdhury read out their portions.
The verdict came amid tight security and a tense atmosphere. Arson attacks, crude bomb blasts and flash processions by Awami League supporters have continued nationwide since November 7 following the party鈥檚 social media calls for a 鈥楧haka Lockdown鈥� on November 13 and a 鈥榗omplete shutdown鈥� on November 16鈥�17.
The Hasina-led government was removed from power on August 5, 2024, after a 36-day uprising that began on July 1.
The prosecution tried the trio on five counts of crimes against humanity for failing to prevent atrocities committed during the movement. Investigators say at least 1,500 people were killed and more than 25,000 injured in the crackdown.
Charge 1: Incitement 鈥� Hasina allegedly fuelled violence by calling protesters 鈥渟ons and grandchildren of Razakars鈥� on July 14.
Charge 2: Lethal orders 鈥� She allegedly instructed the DU vice-chancellor and law-enforcement agencies to 鈥渉ang or kill鈥� protesters and authorised the use of live ammunition and drone strikes.
Charge 3: Killing of Abu Sayeed 鈥� The accused allegedly ordered police and ruling party activists to fire on students at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, killing student leader Abu Sayeed on July 16.
Charge 4: August 5 killings 鈥� Six unarmed protesters were allegedly shot dead during the 鈥楳arch to Dhaka鈥� programme.
Charge 5: Ashulia arson attack 鈥� Five protesters were allegedly burned alive near Ashulia Police Station on August 5, while another injured protester was allegedly thrown into the flames.
Sheikh Hasina was found guilty on three counts of crimes against humanity under Charge No. 1. The tribunal held her responsible for incitement, issuing lethal orders, and failing to prevent or punish the attackers.
The tribunal said Hasina fuelled violence by calling protesters 鈥榮ons and grandchildren of Razakars鈥� on July 14. She was also found guilty of ordering the deployment of drones and helicopters and the use of live weapons to kill students and other protesters.
She was additionally held liable for abetting the killing of six protesters at Chankharpool in the capital and six others at Ashulia, where victims were burnt to death. The judges said the three counts were combined into a single sentence of death.
Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun were also found to have committed crimes against humanity by abetting and facilitating the killings at Chankharpool and Ashulia and by failing to prevent or punish the perpetrators. The tribunal said both deserved the death penalty.
However, the tribunal imposed a reduced sentence on Mamun. It said Mamun made a 鈥榝ull and true disclosure鈥� of the July 2024 events and assisted the tribunal in reaching a just decision. He admitted his involvement in the 36-day nationwide atrocities.
Considering his cooperation and the gravity of the offences, the tribunal limited Mamun鈥檚 sentence to five years, noting that his crimes were otherwise punishable by death. The bench said it took a 鈥榣enient view鈥� due to his contribution to the case.