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An international crimes tribunal has sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan (EX Home Minister) to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.
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Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, ex Inspector General of Police (IGP) and state witness in the case, has been sentenced to five years in prison.
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The verdict was delivered by a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar.
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The judgment spans 453 pages, divided into six parts, concluding that all three were guilty of crimes against humanity.
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The court found that Hasina and Khan’s flight from justice constitutes additional evidence of guilt.
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Since Hasina and Khan are in hiding, they cannot file an appeal within 30 days as required — they must surrender or be arrested to use the appeal process.
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The formal indictment included five charges, such as incitement of violence, use of military-grade weapons, and ordering killings during the uprising.
On Monday, November 17, a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, announced its verdict in a high-profile case concerning crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July mass uprising.
The other two members of the tribunal were Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haq Enam Chowdhury. The full judgment, stretching over 453 pages, is organized into six parts.
The court ruled that Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun are guilty of crimes against humanity.
Read More: Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death for Crimes Against Humanity
According to the judgement, the crimes committed by former IGP Mamun deserve the highest punishment. The tribunal also held that Hasina and Khan’s decision to flee greatly reinforces the case against them.
Because Hasina and Khan are currently absconding, they are not eligible to file an appeal within the standard 30-day window, as stipulated by tribunal law. Prosecutor Gazi Monowar explained in a briefing that the law is very clear — to appeal a verdict, a sentenced person either has to surrender or be arrested by law enforcement.
Earlier, on June 1, the prosecution filed formal charges against all three. The indictment listed five accusations:
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Delivering inciting speeches at a press conference at Ganabhaban on July 14.
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Ordering the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons to eliminate protestors.
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The killing by shooting of student Abu Saeed at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.
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The killing by gunfire of six protesters in Chankharpul, Dhaka.
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Setting fire to six people in Ashulia.
On July 10, the tribunal formally framed these five charges against the defendants. Notably, ex IGP Mamun, who is the only one among the three in custody, admitted on the same day to being involved in crimes against humanity during the July uprising. He also applied to become a state witness.
