Crimes against humanity: ICT to announce verdict date against Hasina, Kamal on 13 Nov
The order came this morning (23 October) after the prosecution and defence completed their closing arguments before the three-member ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), in line with the Curia Advisari Vult (CAV), has decided to announce on 13 November the date for delivering its verdict in the July Uprising crimes against humanity case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and another accused.
Latin legal term Curia Advisari Vult indicates that the court is deliberating privately before delivering judgment. This term often arises when the court requires time to consider arguments or submissions made during proceedings.
The order came this morning (23 October) after the prosecution and defence completed their closing arguments before the three-member ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.
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During his closing remarks, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman told the tribunal that if Hasina and others accused in the case, filed over the mass killings that took place during last year's July-August mass uprising, are not tried, it would be an injustice to those killed and injured during the movement.
He said, "I believe Sheikh Hasina will face justice, because she herself told others that if they had the courage, they should face trial. But she did not mean that from her heart. Had she meant it, she would have returned to the country and faced trial today."
Asaduzzaman added that if the punishments for these accused are not secured, countless more lives in Bangladesh will be at risk. "If we cannot ensure justice, the people of Bangladesh will remain cowardly and spineless in the ruins of history.
"I expect the maximum punishment for them."
After his remarks, the tribunal said that justice will be ensured and that both sides will receive a fair trial at all costs.
The case, a closely watched trial in recent years, accuses the former premier and her associates of grave human rights violations during the tumultuous political unrest that led to the July-August uprising.
Both sides presented extensive arguments, with the prosecution urging the maximum penalty for what it described as "systematic and state-sponsored atrocities", while the defence argued that the charges were politically motivated and unsupported by credible evidence.
In total, 54 witnesses, including family members of victims, injured individuals, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman, and two investigation officers, gave statements against Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun before the tribunal.
Crimes against humanity case: Tribunal to hear arguments against Hasina, Kamal, 2 others Sunday
Former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun earlier pleaded guilty and became an approver.
The prosecution has 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 12 May.
The tribunal's upcoming decision is expected to have far-reaching political and legal implications.
