First witness in Hasina's crimes against humanity trial demands maximum punishment

Khokon Chandra Barmon, who lost half of his face in police firing during last year's anti-discrimination movement, appeared before the International Crimes Tribunal today (3 August) as the first witness in a case accusing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two others of crimes against humanity.

The 23-year-old Khokon gave harrowing details of the violence he experienced. He said he was shot in the face by police during a protest on 5 August last year in Dhaka's Jatrabari area.

During his testimony, he showed his severely injured face to the tribunal and demanded the highest punishment for Hasina, stating that she along with several others were responsible for the violence.

The trial began with opening remarks from Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam. This is the first case related to the crackdown during the July uprising in which witness testimony has begun.

Khokon was later cross-examined by defence counsel Amir Hossain, who represented the absconding accused Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan. Another accused, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, was present in court as a state witness.

The accused in the case have been charged with a total of five counts, including instigating, provoking and ordering the killing of over 1,400 people to suppress the July-August 2024 uprising. Charges also include "superior command responsibility" and "joint criminal enterprise."

Following Khokon's cross-examination, the three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, adjourned the hearing until today for the next witness testimony.

A total of 81 witnesses, including two interim government advisers and a national daily editor, have been listed for the trial.

'Not the person, but the crime matters'

In a brief statement ahead of his opening argument, Attorney General Asaduzzaman said, "It is the crime, not the individual, that matters. No matter who the person is, if a crime is committed, we are determined to bring them to justice. That is why we seek justice."

"This is a historic day. The world has never seen a dictator like Sheikh Hasina. She is the greatest liar and autocrat in history," the attorney general noted.

"For the sake of our future generations, we demand the maximum punishment for her and her accomplices," he added.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam said, "This trial is not about settling old scores. It is a process to restore public trust in the justice system and will follow both national and international standards."

'I had lost hope of living'

Khokon Chandra Barmon's left eye was completely destroyed by the gunshot, and his nose and facial structure were severely damaged. He was initially treated in Bangladesh before being sent to Russia for further medical care.

Recalling 5 August, Khokon said he went to the Signboard intersection between 9am and 9:30am on the day to join the movement. Later, along with a procession, he started marching towards Dhaka. 

Around 12pm to 12:30pm, when they reached the Jatrabari area, they came under police fire.

Khokon said they were not advancing at the time but were chanting slogans, booing Hasina and calling her an autocrat. When they later tried to move forward, the police opened fire again. 

"A bullet hit one man in the head and came out the other side. The bleeding was so severe it looked like a slaughtered cow," he said.

At one point, the army arrived, fired blank shots, and ordered the police to return to the station. The police then left for Jatrabari Police Station, and the demonstrators continued chanting slogans in the presence of the army, Khokon said.

They later received news that Sheikh Hasina had resigned, after which the army also left the area.

Khokon stated that after the army's departure, the police came out of the station and began shooting at them "like birds." People tried to take cover wherever they could. He and a few others hid behind a pillar under the Jatrabari flyover.

"At one point, the police came there and started shooting at us deliberately," he said. "Most of those who were hiding there were hit. Eventually, I took shelter behind a drum under the flyover. A police officer saw me, aimed at my head, and fired. The bullet struck me in the face."

Khokon said he was writhing in pain after being shot and had lost hope of survival. At that moment in the tribunal, he removed the mask from his face and showed his disfigured face.

He said hearing his screams, some students rushed to him, lifted him up, and used his phone to inform his family. 

He was first taken to Mugda Hospital, but seeing the severity of his condition, doctors referred him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was then taken to Mirpur Dental Hospital, and later, after 10 days, to the National Burn Institute. He spent 10 days in the ICU.

He added that his treatment is still ongoing and he has not yet fully recovered.

In February, the interim government arranged for him to travel to Russia for surgery. He returned on 7 April. 

Stating that treatment for his condition is not available in Bangladesh, Khokon told the tribunal he would travel to Russia again on 12 August, with surgery scheduled to begin on 18 August.

Accusing the authorities of killing "thousands of people" during the movement, Khokon demanded exemplary punishment for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, as well as Awami League leaders Obaidul Quader and Shamim Osman.

Defence cross-examination

In his cross-examination, defence lawyer Amir Hossain claimed that police did not open fire on the protesters, and that Khokon and others were injured due to their own weapons and actions. 

He said Sheikh Hasina and others were not responsible for the violence.

"You are hiding the truth and giving false testimony," the lawyer said.

"I have only spoken the truth," Khokon responded.

Following the cross-examination, the tribunal adjourned proceedings.