[🇧🇩] International Crimes Tribunal Act & The Crimes Against Humanity

[Saif]

ICT orders public summons for Hasina, Asaduzzaman Kamal

ICT on Monday ordered the authorities concerned to issue public notices in two newspapers summoning Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal

en.prothomalo.com

ICT orders public summons for Hasina, Asaduzzaman Kamal
UNB
Updated: 16 Jun 2025, 15: 50

A collage of the ICT logo and Sheikh Hasina File photo

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday ordered the authorities concerned to issue public notices in two newspapers summoning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to appear before the court in a case over the July-August uprising.

A three-member bench, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order after a hearing in this regard, said the ICT's Chief Prosecutor Advocate Md Tajul Islam.

He said the court ordered the notice be published in one Bengali and another English newspaper.

Taking five charges into cognizance against the accused, including Sheikh Hasina, the court also set 24 June for the next hearing in the case.

The court also reissued arrest warrants for those who are absconding.

Earlier in the day, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was produced before the tribunal.

Following the hearing, the court ordered the publication of summons for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Kamal as they have been absconding.

The chief prosecutor formally submitted the charges against Hasina, accusing her of responsibility for atrocities during the July-August pro-democracy uprising.

According to the case statement, nearly 1500 people were killed during last year's anti-government movement in the country.

Amid intense protests on 5 August last year, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country and took shelter in India.

Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus later assumed power and restructured the tribunal to prosecute those accused of mass killings, with the first case filed against Hasina.

Following a six-month investigation, the tribunal's agency submitted its final report on 12 May and formally presented it before the court on Sunday.​

 

[Saif]

Crude bomb explodes again near ICT gate

A crude bomb exploded near the gate of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), adjacent to the Shishu Academy in the capital, on Monday morning.

en.prothomalo.com

Crude bomb explodes again near ICT gate
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 16 Jun 2025, 17: 38

International Crimes Tribunal File photo

A crude bomb exploded near the gate of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), adjacent to the Shishu Academy in the capital, on Monday morning.

Shahbagh police station officer-in-charge (OC) Khalid Mansur confirmed the matter to Prothom Alo.

He said a crude bomb exploded on the paved road in front of the tribunal around 5:25 am today, while another was found unexploded.

Khalid Mansur said that legal proceedings are underway regarding the incident, and none has yet been identified.

The ICT conducted hearings in a case filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina over crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.

Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and then Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are also accused in the case.

The explosion occurred in the morning hours before the scheduled hearing of this case.

Earlier on 1 June, ‘crude bomb-like firecracker’ also exploded on the same place before the hearing of this case, according to the Shahbagh police.

Regarding the previous incident, OC Khalid Mansur told Prothom Alo that a general diary (GD) was filed, but no arrests have been made yet. However, efforts are ongoing.

Chief prosecutor’s remarks on explosion

Chief prosecutor Md Tajul Islam spoke to journalists after today's hearing in the case against Sheikh Hasina.

Replying to a query on whether the crude bomb explosion on the day of Sheikh Hasina’s case hearing was an attempt to obstruct the trial proceedings, Tajul Islam said, “We are not taking these incidents seriously. The law enforcement agencies will deal it. The judicial process for the crimes committed in Bangladesh will move forward smoothly. If anyone tries to obstruct this process or engage in unlawful activities, appropriate legal action will be taken.”​

 

[Saif]

Charge hearing against Hasina, 2 aides July 1

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday set July 1 for hearing charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her associates in a crimes against humanity case over the 2024 July–August mass uprising.

www.newagebd.net

ICT CASE OVER JULY UPRISING ATROCITIES
Charge hearing against Hasina, 2 aides July 1
M Moneruzzaman 24 June, 2025, 14:42

Sheikh Hasina. | UNB photo

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday set July 1 for hearing charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her associates in a crimes against humanity case over the 2024 July–August mass uprising.

The two associates of Hasina, named in the case, are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

Hasina and Asaduzzaman are still absconding and Mamun is now in jail.

The charges against the trio include murder, attempted murder, torture, and use of lethal weapons on the protesters during the mass uprising that ousted the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

The tribunal, comprising Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood, and retired district judge Md Muhitul Hoque Anam Chawdhury, also appointed Dhaka Judges Court-based lawyer Amir Hossain as the state defence counsel for Hasina and Asaduzzaman.

Lawyer Amir Hossain is known for his affiliation with the Awami League.

The lawyer served as the special public prosecutor of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-8 until the law ministry cancelled the appointments of all prosecutors of the ousted Awami League regime through a single notification, months after the interim government assumed power on August 8, 2024.

In a separate case, the tribunal extended the deadline by two months to submit the probe report in the case of enforced disappearances involving 12 accused including Sheikh Hasina, detained retired army officer Ziaul Ahsan, and 10 others.

The tribunal also extended the deadline by one week for submitting the probe report in the Ashulia case against 16 police officials and their associates, accused of killing six people during the 2024 student-led mass uprising.

The tribunal set August 24 for the submission of the probe report in the enforced disappearance case.

Among the accused are Hasina’s former defence adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former IGP Benazir Ahmed, retired lieutenant colonel Moksurul Haque, former CTTC chief Md Asaduzzaman, and five former DGFI chiefs—Lieutenant General (retired) Md Akbar Hossain, Major General (retired) Md Saiful Abedin, Lieutenant General (retired) Md Saiful Alam, Lieutenant General (retired) Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury, and Major General (retired) Hamidul Huq—as well as former CTIB director Major General (retired) Mohammad Towhid-ul-Islam.

All 12 are accused of abducting and disappearing several individuals during the Awami League’s 15-year rule. The victims include indigenous rights activist Michael Chakma, former brigadier general Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, and Supreme Court lawyer Ahmad Bin Kashem Arman.

The tribunal also scheduled a hearing for Wednesday to take legal opinion from Supreme Court lawyer AY Mashiuzzaman, acting as amicus curiae, in a contempt case against Hasina and Gobindaganj Awami League leader Shakil Akand Bulbul.

In the same case, state-appointed lawyer Aminul Gani Titu is expected to defend the two absconding accused, Hasina and Shakil, in Wednesday’s hearing.

The contempt charges stem from a phone call between Hasina and Shakil, in which Hasina allegedly made provocative comments from India intending to obstruct the tribunal’s upcoming proceedings.

The tribunal also set July 2 for submission of the investigation report in the Ashulia crimes against humanity case.

Prosecutor Md Saimum Talukder Pias sought two weeks’ time, citing that they had received the investigation report but they needed more time to review the large volume of evidence.

The case names 16 accused, including former Awami League lawmaker for Dhaka-19 constituency Saiful Islam, dismissed additional superintendent of police Abdullah Al Kafi, former Savar circle additional SP Md Shahidul Islam, former Ashulia police inspector AFM Sayeed Roni, DB north inspector Md Arafat Hossain Arju, former assistant sub-inspectors Abdul Malek, Arafat Uddin, Sheikh Afzalul Haque, Biswajit Saha and Kamrul Hasan and former constable Mukul Chandra.

Eight out of the 11 accused, now detained in jail, include Kafi, Shahidul, Arafat Arju, Malek, Arafat Uddin, Afzal, Kamrul and Mukul.

Saimum said that the prosecution withheld the names of five other absconding accused, saying that they might go into hiding if identified in the media.

He said that the investigation agency started probing the Ashulia case on October 6, 2024 based on several complaints received by the office of the chief prosecutor.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina among 30 named in ICT probe

The Investigation Agency of the International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday submitted a probe report accusing 30 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, of crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 mass uprising in Rangpur...

www.newagebd.net

ABU SAYEED MURDER
Hasina among 30 named in ICT probe
M Moneruzzaman 26 June, 2025, 12:53

The Investigation Agency of the International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday submitted a probe report accusing 30 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, of crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 mass uprising in Rangpur.

The charges include that of killing Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, who died on the university campus on July 16, 2024 during nationwide protests against discrimination.

Abu Sayeed, coordinator of the Student Movement Against Discrimination at the university, was shot in the chest when police opened fire. He died on the spot.

His killing sparked outrage across the country and intensified the student-led protests that eventually led to the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

Prosecutor Mizanul Islam told reporters during the briefing at the ICT building on Thursday that the Chief Prosecutor’s Office received the investigation report on Thursday morning.

Formal charges against 30 individuals would be submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, on Sunday, he said.

‘Sheikh Hasina will be named in the charges as an instigator and for issuing orders in the crimes against humanity,’ said Mizanul, responding to a question.

He declined to disclose the names of the other 29 accused before the charges were formally submitted to the tribunal.

Mizanul said that the accusation was what Hasina faced a second formal charge as the ICT investigated July–August uprising cases.

He said that four of the accused -- former BRUR proctor Shariful Islam, Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury Akash, sub-inspector Amir Hossain, and constable Sujan Chandra Roy -- were now detained in custody.

On January 13, Abu Sayeed’s brother Ramjan Ali filed a complaint with the chief prosecutor’s office, accusing 24 named and 130 to 135 unidentified individuals of involvement in crimes against humanity committed in Rangpur.

The investigation agency later added six more names, including Sheikh Hasina, for their alleged supervisory roles in the incident, during the course of the investigation.

Abu Sayeed’s brother Ramjan Ali alleged that senior government officials, and leaders and activists of the ruling party’s student wing, Chhatra League, at the university orchestrated the attack.

The 24 accused in Ramjan Ali’s complaint include former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, the university proctor and political science department associate professor Shariful Islam, mathematics department associate professor Md Mashiur Rahman, public administration department associate professor Asaduzzaman Mondal, former inspector general of police Abdullah Al Mamun, former Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Moniruzzaman, former deputy inspector general of police of Rangpur Division Md Abdul Baten, Rangpur Metropolitan Police commissioner Md Abu Maruf Hossain, additional deputy commissioner Md Shah Nur Alam Patwari, who later promoted to superintendent of police, RMP assistant commissioners Md Arifuzzaman (Kotwali zone) and Md Al Imran Hossain, Tajhat police station officer-in-charge Rabiul Islam, the university’s police outpost in-charge and sub-inspector Bibhuti Bhusan Roy, assistant sub-inspector of police Amir Ali, constable Sujan Chandra Roy, sub-inspector Tariqul Islam who prepared Sayeed’s inquest report, executive magistrate and assistant commissioner (land) for Rangpur Ahmed Sadat, who put their signatures on the inquest report, the university’s lower class employee Nurunnabi and proctor office employee Rafiul Hasan Rasel.

The BRUR unit Chhatra League leaders named in the case include BCL president Pomel Barua, BCL general secretary Shamim Mahfuz, and organising secretary Dhanojoy Kumar Tagore.

On August 18, 2024, Ramjan Ali also filed a complaint against the same 24 individuals with the court of the chief judicial magistrate in Rangpur over the killing of Abu Sayeed.

Earlier, the police had filed a murder case against unidentified individuals over Abu Sayeed’s death with the Tajhat police station on July 16, 2024.

The case over Abu Sayeed’s killing includes the second formal charge against Sheikh Hasina and the third case filed against her under the reconstituted two International Crimes Tribunals by the interim government led by Professor Mohammad Yunus.

According to prosecutors, Hasina’s name has appeared in hundreds of complaints involving enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other serious human rights violations during her 15-year rule. These complaints are still pending with the tribunal for investigation.

Hasina is also facing a trial in absentia in a case over contempt of court.

The hearing in the case over the killing of Abu Sayeed is scheduled for July. The tribunal-1 has appointed a Supreme Court lawyer as amicus curiae and a state defence lawyer to represent Hasina.

A separate case against Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun — linked to the July 2024 mass uprising — is set for a hearing on July 1.

The tribunal will decide whether to frame formal charges in that case.

Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim on Thursday said that the Chief Prosecutor’s Office had received 340 complaints related to crimes against humanity during the July–August 2024 uprising. Investigators have shortlisted 41 of these cases for detailed investigation.

So far, formal charges have been submitted in two of the 41 cases while arrest warrants have been sought in 22 cases, Tamim added.

One of the other major cases involves the capital city’s Chankharpool killings, where eight people, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman, have been charged.

The tribunal is scheduled to hear the Chankharpool case on Sunday.​

 

[Saif]

Preliminary probes to clear trumped up case accused: Asif Nazrul

Law Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul disclosed this at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following a meeting of the Advisory Council.

en.prothomalo.com

Preliminary probes to clear trumped up case accused: Asif Nazrul
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 29 Jun 2025, 22: 28

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul speaks at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on 29 June 2025. Dipu Malakar

The advisory council of the interim government on Sunday approved an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), incorporating a provision to clear the accused in trumped up cases at the preliminary investigation stage if no involvement is found.

Law adviser professor Asif Nazrul disclosed this at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following a meeting of the advisory council.

Asif Nazrul said the new provision states: if a commissioner, superintendent of police (SP), or a police officer of equivalent rank believes it is rational to seek a preliminary report from an investigating officer regarding a case under their jurisdiction, they may do so.

Once the report is prepared, the officer will be instructed to submit it to a magistrate. If the magistrate finds that someone has been wrongfully implicated in the case without credible evidence, the magistrate then may release the person immediately, he added.

The law adviser further said, “We expect that our police administration and judicial administration will work together. In cases where arrests or lawsuits are being misused to make money, the courts can free individuals at the pre-trial stage.”

He hoped that if this initiative is implemented, many innocent people will be spared from harassment.

He said that this would also provide relief from the trade of filing false lawsuits, but this does not mean investigations will be halted. Investigations will continue. If the police later find credible evidence against someone who was previously cleared, that person’s name can be added to the case.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/ict-accepts-abu-sayed-murder-charges-issues-arrest-warrants-against-26

ICT accepts Abu Sayed murder charges, issues arrest warrants against 26

Published :
Jun 30, 2025 18:59
Updated :
Jun 30, 2025 18:59

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has accepted formal charges in the murder of Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, during the July Uprising.

Arrest warrants have also been issued against 26 fugitives accused in the case, as per a bdnews24.com.

The order was passed on Monday by ICT-2, headed by Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam led the prosecution in the hearing.

Charges implicate deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, top police, and university officials in the legal crackdown.​

 

[Saif]

ICT hears charges against Hasina

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday began the charge hearing against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her two co-accused in a case of crimes against humanity committed across the country during the July–August 2024 mass uprising...

www.newagebd.net

MASS UPRISING
ICT hears charges against Hasina
M Moneruzzaman 01 July, 2025, 15:28

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday began the charge hearing against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her two co-accused in a case of crimes against humanity committed across the country during the July–August 2024 mass uprising.

The two co-accused of Hasina are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam placed five charges before the three-member tribunal comprising Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and retired district judge Md Mohitul Haque Anan Chowdhury.

Tajul prayed to the tribunal to frame charges against Hasina, Asaduzzaman and Mamun under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 to initiate the first-ever trial in a case related to the July uprising.

Mamun was in the dock. Hasina and Asaduzzaman are in hiding.

After the chief prosecutor’s submission, state-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain, representing Hasina and Asaduzzaman, requested the tribunal to adjourn the hearing for 15 days for taking preparations to place his submission.

The tribunal granted time and adjourned the hearing until July 7 for the defence to present its rebuttal.

The hour-long hearing on Tuesday was broadcast live by state-run Bangladesh Television. The judges and the bench officers were not shown during the live broadcast.

Former IGP Mamun’s lawyer Jayed Bin Amjad informed the tribunal that his client had instructed him not to file any discharge petition at this stage.

After Tuesday’s hearing, Amir Hossain told reporters that the five charges against Hasina and Asaduzzaman were not accurate.

This is the first formal charge against Hasina over the July uprising. She is facing another case with the tribunal on charges of contempt of court.

According to the prosecutors, Hasina’s name has been mentioned in hundreds of complaints related to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other serious human rights violations that happened during her 15-year rule.

These complaints are currently under investigation by the tribunal.

The tribunal was formed in 2009 by the Awami League regime to try 1971 war crimes suspects. After the August 5, 2024 fall of the Awami League regime, the interim government reconstituted the tribunal mainly to prosecute those responsible for the July–August 2024 atrocities.

In his Tuesday submission, Tajul said that Hasina, her two co-accused, cabinet members, lawmakers, and leaders of Awami League’s affiliated organisations, including Juba League and Chhatra League, were involved in coordinated attacks on unarmed civilians.

These incidents were widely reported in local and international media and are well known at home and abroad.

He added that international organisations, including the United Nations, had documented many of these crimes and the tribunal, under section 19(3) of the ICT Act, might take judicial notice of such widely known and established facts.

The specific legal provisions cited by the prosecution outline individual and superior responsibility for crimes against humanity, including abetment, conspiracy, incitement, and failure to prevent such acts.

If convicted, the tribunal may impose the death penalty or any punishment it considers proportionate to the gravity of the crimes committed.

The first charge alleged that Hasina’s provocative speech at a July 14, 2024 press conference at Ganabhaban incited widespread and systematic attacks on unarmed students and civilians.

Co-accused Asaduzzaman Khan and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, along with other state actors and Awami League activists, are accused of abetting, conspiring, and facilitating the violence.

The second charge accused Hasina of ordering the extermination of demonstrators using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons. Asaduzzaman and Mamun are accused of aiding and executing this directive.

The third charge relates to the killing of unarmed student Abu Sayeed of Begum Rokeya University, who was shot in the chest during a July 16 protest. The prosecution claims that this killing was carried out under direct orders or encouragement from the accused.

The fourth charge relates to the killings of six protesters at Chankharpool on August 5, allegedly as part of a state-led crackdown incited by Hasina’s public call to use lethal force.

The fifth charge accuses the three of killing six people near Ashulia police station on August 5. Five victims were shot and burned, and one injured protester was burned alive. Their bodies were allegedly hidden in a pickup van after being doused with petrol.

When asked why the murder of Abu Sayeed, the six killings at Chankharpool, and the six deaths at Ashulia were included in the case against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan, and the former IGP, chief prosecutor Tajul Islam explained that field-level law enforcers and Awami League leaders were accused in those individual cases for their direct participation and facilitation of the crimes.

Tajul said that Hasina, Asaduzzaman, and the former IGP were not named as direct accused in those specific cases, but were charged in the July uprising case for their superior responsibility—as those incidents were part of the wider pattern of crimes committed across the country.

The Investigation Agency submitted its report against Hasina, Asaduzzaman, and Mamun to the chief prosecutor’s office on May 12.

The charge sheet stated that more than 1,500 people were killed and 25,000 others injured during the crackdown, where lethal weapons and helicopters were used.

Drones were also deployed to locate protesters, mainly students, who were then tortured and detained.

It also said that a total of 3,05,311 rounds of bullets were used across the country, including 95,313 rounds in the capital alone.

The charge sheet cited telephonic conversations of Sheikh Hasina as evidence, which allegedly revealed her conspiracy and planning. She is accused of directing party cadres to attack and set fire to key installations—such as Setu Bhaban, BTV, and the metro rail—and then falsely blaming the student protesters to discredit the movement.

As the prime minister and leader of the 14-party alliance at the time, Hasina is accused of holding superior command responsibility.

She allegedly planned and ordered the attacks, which were executed under the direction of the then home minister Asaduzzaman and carried out by the police under the command of then IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

Prosecutors said the charges demonstrate that Hasina acted as the prime instigator and superior commander of the crackdown, which took place between July 1 and August 5, 2024.​

 

[Saif]

1st ICT order on charges likely July 10

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday concluded the hearing on charges against ousted prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and his two associates over their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity across Bangladesh during the July–August 2024 mass...

www.newagebd.net

1st ICT order on charges likely July 10
Hasina, Asaduzzaman, ex-IGP Mamun to face first order
Staff Correspondent 07 July, 2025, 17:20

Sheikh Hasina | Collected photo

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday concluded the hearing on charges against ousted prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and his two associates over their alleged involvement in committing crimes against humanity across Bangladesh during the July–August 2024 mass uprising.Bangladesh-themed souvenirs

The two other accused are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

The three-member tribunal of Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and retired district judge Mohammad Mohitul Haque Anam Chawdhury set July 10 for delivering its order on whether Hasina, Asaduzzaman and Mamun will be charged for committing crimes against humanity.

Mamun was in the dock during Monday’s hearing. Hasina and Asaduzzaman are still in hiding.

This is for the first time the tribunal will pass an order on charges in a case filed for the atrocities committed during the student-led mass uprising in July-August 2024.

The tribunal is empowered to impose the death penalty or other punishments, depending on the severity of the crimes defined 3(a) of the International National Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.

The crimes against humanity include murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation or forcible transfer of population, imprisonment, abduction, confinement, torture, rape, sexual exploitation, enforced disappearance, human trafficking, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization or other inhumane acts.

On July 2, the tribunal sentenced Hasina to six months in jail for contempt of court over a leaked phone call, made while in India, where she allegedly said, ‘I have had 227 cases filed against me, so I have a licence to kill 227 people.’

State-appointed defence counsel Amir Hossain, representing both Hasina and Asaduzzaman, argued for their discharge over the uprising case, calling the charges ‘politically motivated and out of the tribunal’s jurisdiction’.

He mentioned that the incidents in question did not meet the legal threshold for crimes against humanity under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, as they stemmed from ‘political conflict’ rather than war.

He said that the two tribunals were formed in 2009 by the Awami League regime to try 1971 war crimes suspects. After the August 5, 2024 fall of the Awami League regime, the interim government reconstituted the two tribunals and amended the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 on November 24, 2024 mainly to prosecute those responsible for the July–August 2024 atrocities.

Amir told the tribunal that Hasina did not order the crackdown on the protesters and there was no evidence that could link her to the killings during the mass uprising.

He emphasised that no documentary proof had been submitted by the prosecution implicating Hasina in planning or directing violence.

Referring to the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed on July 16, Amir stated that Hasina was not in the country at that time.

‘She returned later and met the victim’s family, offering financial support and expressing deep shock,’ he said.

He also rejected the charge related to the August 5 killings, arguing that Hasina had already left the country earlier that morning.

Addressing accusations that Hasina referred to protesters as ‘children of Razakars,’ the defence said the remark was misrepresented and did not constitute incitement.

Amir further contended that the attempt to prosecute Hasina as a ‘superior commander’ was legally flawed, as there is no evidence she issued any orders for violence.

He also denied the prosecution’s claim that it had an audio conversation between Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh while she had ordered to kill and eliminate the protesters.

‘This case is an attempt to victimise her politically,’ he claimed.

Amir concluded his submission on the deposed prime minister by highlighting Hasina’s 15-year tenure as prime minister and her role in Bangladesh’s development, asserting that her involvement in crimes against humanity was both implausible and unproven.

He described Asaduzzaman as a respectable man who always focused on national development.

Former IGP Mamun’s lawyer Jayed Bin Amjad on July 1 informed the tribunal that his client had instructed him not to file any discharge petition at this stage.

On July 1, the tribunal started the charge hearing and set July 7 for hearing the defence for Hasina and Asaduzzaman.

Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam placed five charges before the tribunal with a prayer to frame charges against Hasina, Asaduzzaman and Mamun under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 to initiate the first-ever trial in a case related to the July uprising.

The first charge alleged that Hasina’s provocative speech at a July 14, 2024 press conference at Ganabhaban incited widespread and systematic attacks on unarmed students and civilians.

Co-accused Asaduzzaman Khan and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, along with other state actors and Awami League activists, are accused of abetting, conspiring, and facilitating the violence.

The second charge accused Hasina of ordering the extermination of demonstrators using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons. Asaduzzaman and Mamun are accused of aiding and executing this directive.

The third charge relates to the killing of unarmed student Abu Sayeed of Begum Rokeya University, who was shot in the chest during a July 16 protest. The prosecution claims that this killing was carried out under direct orders or encouragement from the accused.

The fourth charge relates to the killings of six protesters at Chankharpool on August 5, allegedly as part of a state-led crackdown incited by Hasina’s public call to use lethal force.

The fifth charge accuses the three of killing six people near Ashulia police station on August 5. Five victims were shot and burned, and one injured protester was burned alive. Their bodies were allegedly hidden in a pickup van after being doused with petrol.

The Investigation Agency submitted its report against Hasina, Asaduzzaman, and Mamun to the chief prosecutor’s office on May 12.

The charge sheet stated that more than 1,500 people were killed and 25,000 others injured during the crackdown, where lethal weapons and helicopters were used.

Drones were also deployed to locate protesters, mainly students, who were then tortured and detained.

It also said that a total of 3,05,311 rounds of bullets were used across the country, including 95,313 rounds in the capital alone.

The charge sheet cited telephonic conversations of Sheikh Hasina as evidence, which allegedly revealed her conspiracy and planning. She is accused of directing party cadres to attack and set fire to key installations such as Setu Bhaban, BTV, and the metro rail and then falsely blaming the student protesters to discredit the movement.

As the prime minister and leader of the 14-party alliance at the time, Hasina is accused of holding superior command responsibility.

She allegedly planned and ordered the attacks, which were executed under the direction of the then home minister Asaduzzaman and carried out by the police under the command of then IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

The prosecutors said that the charges demonstrated that Hasina acted as the prime instigator and superior commander of the crackdown, which took place between July 1 and August 5, 2024.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina audio recording was recovered by tribunal investigator, says chief prosecutor

A leaked audio recording of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in which she is heard ordering the use of lethal force during last year’s July protests, was recovered by an investigator of the International Crimes Tribunal, the chief prosecutor has said. Mohammad Tazul Islam, sharing the mu

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hasina audio recording was recovered by tribunal investigator, says chief prosecutor

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Jul 09, 2025 23:48
Updated :
Jul 10, 2025 00:06

A leaked audio recording of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in which she is heard ordering the use of lethal force during last year’s July protests, was recovered by an investigator of the International Crimes Tribunal, the chief prosecutor has said.

Mohammad Tazul Islam, sharing the much-talked-about BBC report on Facebook, wrote: “This call recording was recovered by a special investigator of the tribunal. Much more is yet to come,” calling the clip “just a trailer.”

The BBC, in its report, has verified the leaked audio and confirmed it to be that of Sheikh Hasina. In the recording, she is heard instructing her security forces to “use lethal weapons” against protesters and to “shoot wherever they find them”.

In a separate video message sent to journalists, Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim said the tribunal’s investigation agency had recovered several audio clips of Sheikh Hasina during its inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July unrest.

He said the clips were verified by forensic experts and indicated that Hasina had ordered the use of lethal weapons during the protests. These recordings have been submitted to the tribunal as part of the prosecution’s case.

Tamim said the BBC’s independent verification of the audio clip had further strengthened the credibility of the tribunal’s proceedings.

The tribunal is expected to decide on Thursday whether to formally charge Sheikh Hasina. If charges are approved, the leaked audio will be presented as evidence in court, according to the prosecutor.​

 

[Saif]

Former IGP Mamun pleads guilty, becomes state witness

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has become ‘approver’ or state witness in a case filed for crimes against humanity during July mass uprising.

en.prothomalo.com

Former IGP Mamun pleads guilty, becomes state witness
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 10 Jul 2025, 16: 10

Forer IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has been brought to ICT-1 on 10 July Prothom Alo

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has become ‘approver’ or state witness in a case filed for crimes against humanity during July mass uprising.

A three member bench of International Crimes Tribunal -1 led by Justice Md Golam Mortaza approved the order of Abdullah Al Mamun to become approver in the case. The other members of the bench are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Muhitul Enam Chowdhruy.

The ICT-1 has framed formal charges against three persons including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The other two accused persons are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Mamun. Five charges have been brought against the three accused.

Of the accused, Hasina and Kamal are fugitive. Other accused Mamun was brought to the court today.

The tribunal asked the former IGP whether he confesses the crimes he committed.

In reply, he confessed his culpability and told the court that he will cooperate by providing information on the crimes committed during the July uprising.

After the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told journalists that Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun was present in the court today. After the allegations against him was presented, the tribunal asked for his deposition on these. He then pleaded guilty. He is supposed to know all details about the crimes against humanity committed during July-August mass uprising in 2024. He showed interest to become ‘approver’ to assist the tribunal regarding this. The tribunal granted his prayer to become the state witness.

Tajul Islam said the former IGP will disclose everything as to who committed the crimes and how to the tribunal in a convenient time.

The Chief Prosecutor said Mamun would still in the prison. The tribunal would take final decision on him after hearing his deposition.

Tajul also mentioned that since Mamun has become approver, he might face a security risk. His counsel pleaded the court to provide adequate Mamun security.

The tribunal has said it will give orders to ensure proper safety for Mamun, Tajul said.​