ICT begins reading judgement in case against Hasina

Published : Monday, 17 November, 2025 at 12:58 PM Count : 44

The International Crimes Tribunal has begun reading the verdict in the case accusing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun of committing crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

Bangladesh Television (BTV) is broadcasting the proceedings of the verdict announcement live from the International Crimes Tribunal-1 courtroom.

A three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, began delivering the verdict.

The other two members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, a verdict is being delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal against a sitting head of government.

Arguments in the case concluded on October 23, when Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman wrapped up the prosecution’s closing statements.

State-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain presented arguments on behalf of the accused.

Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, Faruk Ahmed, Moinul Karim, ABM Sultan Mahmud and others were also present.

The tribunal had initially fixed November 13 for the verdict, later rescheduling it for November 17.

Until October 22, the state defence presented arguments for the absconding accused Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, as well as for the present “royal witness”, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

The prosecution sought the maximum punishment for all three.

The defence, after three days of submissions, argued for acquittal, challenging the credibility of several key witnesses, including Abdullah Al-Mamun, Daily Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman, and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam.

Hossain dismissed their testimonies outright, claiming Mamun’s cooperation was coerced and that Mahmudur Rahman’s political views biased his statement.

Mamun’s lawyer, Zayed Bin Amjad, later presented separate arguments on behalf of the witness-accused.

In a dramatic turn on July 10, former IGP Mamun admitted responsibility for the killings and violence that occurred during the July–August unrest.

Appearing before Tribunal-1, Mamun stated: “The accusations of murder and genocide brought against us during the July–August movement are true. I plead guilty. I want to help the court unravel the full truth.”

His confession came on the day Tribunal-1 formally framed charges against the three, rejecting petitions for their release.

The prosecution has brought five charges of crimes against humanity, supported by an extensive set of formal charges running 8,747 pages — including 2,018 pages of references, 405 pages of seized documents, and a 2,724-page list of martyrs.

The verdict is expected to be one of the most consequential rulings in the tribunal’s recent history.

FP/MI