ICT verdict in Hasina's crimes against humanity case to be broadcast live tomorrow

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 will broadcast live its verdict in the crimes against humanity case against three accused, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, tomorrow (17 November).

The prosecution announced the broadcast arrangement today (16 November), stating that the judgement will be shown on Bangladesh Television and on large screens at several locations in Dhaka.

The verdict will also be streamed on the International Crimes Tribunal's official Facebook page and broadcast from state-run radio Bangladesh Betar.

The three-member Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, set 17 November for the pronouncement of the verdict on 13 November.

Besides Sheikh Hasina, the accused are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Former IGP Mamun has given a deposition as an approver in the case.

Speaking to reporters earlier, ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said the court would exercise its judgement to deliver a fair ruling. 

He stated that the expectation was for a verdict that would serve as a precedent, adding that anyone committing crimes against humanity in Bangladesh would face justice through due process.

"We prayed for the maximum punishment. The court will exercise its discretion, and we hope the accused are given the highest possible sentence," he said.

Arguments in the case concluded on 22 October.

Advocate Amir Hossain, counsel for two fugitive accused — Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal — and Advocate Jaiad Bin Amjad, counsel for Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, presented their submissions before the tribunal.

The defence argued for three consecutive days.

The prosecution argued for five days and placed various documents related to the July Uprising, including audio recordings of phone conversations between Sheikh Hasina and several individuals.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul also referred to the testimonies of multiple witnesses and sought to establish links between the alleged crimes committed to suppress the July Uprising, which he described as systematic.

A total of 54 prosecution witnesses testified in the case, including the father of July martyr Abu Sayed, National Citizens' Party Convener Nahid Islam, and journalist Mahmudur Rahman. All witnesses were cross-examined by the defence.

On 17 June, the tribunal published notices in two national dailies asking Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender by 24 June. 

The notices were issued on 16 June after the court took cognisance of the formal charge submitted on 1 June.

The prosecution informed the tribunal that Hasina and Kamal were absconding, citing intelligence reports that they were in India.

The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killings against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, based on a probe report submitted on 12 May.

Charges were framed against the trio on 10 July.