Court to hear chief investigator in crimes against humanity case accusing Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday

The International Crimes Tribunal will hear the chief investigating officer's testimony next Wednesday (12 November) in the crimes against humanity case against Sheikh Hasina in the allegation of ordering police shootings on 5 August last year, killing six people in Chankharpul amid a nationwide mass uprising.

The case names eight police officers, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, as accused of crimes against humanity. So far, 24 witnesses, including the special investigation officer, have been examined.

Today (9 November), a two-member Tribunal-1 bench, led by Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud, set 12 November for the testimony of the chief investigation officer. The 14th day of witness hearings saw special investigation officer and prosecutor Tanvir Hasan Zoha take the stand, after which recorded phone conversations involving former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh were played in court. Masud Rana gave his testimony as the 23rd witness on the same day.

In a press briefing, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said, "So far, 24 witnesses have been examined in the Chankharpul case, including one special investigation officer and two experts. The tribunal has scheduled 12 November to hear the chief investigating officer. Once this testimony is completed, all witness hearings in the case will be concluded, leaving only the stage of legal arguments before the verdict is set."

He added, "During the July mass uprising, the former prime minister allegedly instructed law enforcement to use lethal force against students and citizens, which led to six deaths in Chankharpul on 5 August. The investigation shows that more than 50 law enforcement personnel were involved in the incident, most of whom fired shots. However, only three individuals have been charged in this case, as they used lethal weapons."

Earlier, on 2 November, the tribunal heard testimony from two CID forensic experts. Forensic specialist Rokonuzzaman, serving as a police inspector in CID's forensic division, testified first, followed by Deputy Superintendent of the Digital Forensic Lab Shahed Zobayer Lawrence. 

They described the verification and examination of evidence collected in the case. The experts were later cross-examined by defence lawyers representing the four absconding accused and the lawyers of the arrested defendants. To date, 22 witnesses have testified.

The prosecution team is led by Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim, with Prosecutor Faruk Ahmad assisting.

The four arrested defendants are former Shahbagh Police Station officer-in-charge (operations) Md Arshad Hossain, constables Md Sujan Mia, Md Imaj Hossain Emon, and Md Nasirul Islam. 

The absconding accused include former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former DMP joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former additional deputy commissioner of Ramna Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam, and former Assistant Commissioner of Ramna Mohammad Imrul.

On 14 July, the tribunal framed charges against these eight individuals, including the four absconding accused, marking the official start of the trial.