Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka
Dhaka, Nov 17: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday delivered a death sentence to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity linked to last July’s demonstrations. The court also convicted two of her top former officials — ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
While Mamun has been pardoned, the tribunal said he would still receive a “lenient sentence” due to the severity of the charges. He is the first accused to turn state witness since the ICT’s formation in 2010. Hasina and Asaduzzaman, both living abroad, have not returned to face trial; Mamun, however, is in custody and has pleaded guilty.
The tribunal is still reading out the 453-page verdict, which is being broadcast live by Bangladesh Television. Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, is overseeing the judgment. The formal charge documents span 8,747 pages, containing evidence, references and a detailed list of victims, according to The Dhaka Tribune.
Prosecutors charged the accused with five counts, including failure to prevent murder, classified as crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. They have requested the death penalty and asked the tribunal to seize the defendants’ assets for distribution among victims’ families. Hasina has consistently denied all allegations.
Dhaka has been placed under an intense security clampdown ahead of the verdict. On Sunday evening, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali issued a ‘shoot-at-sight’ directive targeting anyone involved in arson, explosions or attempts to harm police or civilians. The ruling comes amid a two-day Awami League strike coinciding with a spike in arson and crude bomb attacks across the capital.
Over the past 36 hours, at least 21 Awami League leaders and workers — many barred from political activity — have been detained in special operations in Narayanganj, The Daily Star reported.