ICT frames charges against Sheikh Hasina for July-Aug mass killing

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT) has framed charges against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun for crimes against humanity during last year’s July-August uprising.

A three-member ICT bench, headed by the tribunal's Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order today after rejecting a defence plea to dismiss the charges.

The other two members of the tribunal that issued the order are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haq Enam Chowdhury.

With today's order, the formal trial against Sheikh Hasina and other defendants in the case for crimes against humanity has begun for the first time.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam appeared for the state during the hearing when prosecutors were present at the hearing. On the other hand, state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain appeared the case on behalf of Sheikh Hasina.

In addition, lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad appeared on behalf of former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who was arrested earlier in the case.

On June 16, Tribunal-1 ordered to publish a notice in a Bengali and an English newspaper for appearance of the fugitive Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal before the court, and the next day, notice was published in the two newspapers asking Sheikh Hasina and Kamal to surrender within 7 days.

However, after the notice was issued, the two fugitive accused did not appear before the tribunal, and a hearing was scheduled for framing charges in this case by a state-appointed lawyer.

Then, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam prayed for beginning of the trial by framing charges against the accused.

On the other hand, state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain, on behalf of Hasina and Kamal, requested the court to discharge the accused from the charges.

After hearing both the sides, Tribunal-1 set July 10 as the date for the order on framing charges.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 took into cognizance the formal charges against ousted Sheikh Hasina on June 1 for crimes against humanity committed during the student-mass uprising in July-August, last year.

Along with Sheikh Hasina, the prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who are accused in this case.

That day, the tribunal's judicial proceedings were telecast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV)