Staff Reporter:
The defense yesterday began placing arguments before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 in a case filed against three accused, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, over their alleged role in orchestrating crimes against humanity during the July-August Mass Uprising.
Advocate Md Amir Hossain, state-appointed counsel to defend fugitives Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, is placing arguments for his high-profile clients. Advocate Jaiad Bin Amjad, counsel for another accused, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who has already pleaded guilty and has become an approver, was present in the courtroom.
Earlier, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam placed arguments for five consecutive days, presenting different documentaries made on the July Mass Uprising, audio records of the telephonic conversations between Sheikh Hasina and different persons, among other things, before the court.
He also referred to the testimonies of different prosecution witnesses and drew connections between the crimes against humanity committed to suppress the Mass Uprising in a ‘systematic way’.
A total of 54 prosecution witnesses– including the father of July martyr Abu Sayed, National Citizens’ Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam and journalist Mahmudur Rahman– testified in the case and were cross-examined by the defence counsel.
On June 17, ICT-1 published notices in two national dailies asking Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender before the court by June 24.
“As per Rule 31 of the International Crimes (Tribunal-1) Rules of Procedure, 2010 (Amendment 2025), they are ordered to surrender before this tribunal on June 24, 2025. Otherwise, the trial will proceed in absentia under Section 10A of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973,” the notice said. The tri-bunal issued the notices on June 16 after taking cognisance of the formal-charge submitted on June 1.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul informed the court that Hasina and Kamal were absconding, citing intelligence reports suggesting that they were in India.
The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killings against Hasina, Kamal and Abdullah Al-Mamun, based on a probe report filed by the ICT investigation agency on May 12.
The tribunal framed the charges against the trio on July 10.
