Staff Reporter:
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) yesterday sentenced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in the July–August crimes against hu-manity case.
Both the convicts, who fled the country during the last year’s mass uprising in August, are now reportedly staying in India.
They have the opportunity to appeal against the verdict before the Appellate Division of the Su-preme Court but they must surrender to the court or must be arrested.
Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman and state-appointed defence lawyer in the case Amir Hossain made the remarks while talking to media separately after the announcement of the verdict.
The three-member Tribunal-1 headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumder delivered the verdict, sentencing the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death. Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who became a state witness, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the case.
During a briefing after the verdict, state-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain said regarding an appeal: “I do not have the opportunity to file an appeal in this case. Not until my clients surrender or are arrested by some other means. Until then, there is no scope for filing an appeal.”
Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman told the reporters that not only in Bangladesh but anywhere in the world, a fugitive or convicted accused has no opportunity or right to appeal without arrest or surrender.”
