No letter received from Hasina: ICT chief prosecutor on recent rumours

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam has said that they have not received any letter from ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina or any organisation representing her, regarding charges of crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July Uprising.

His statement comes at a time when a photo of a letter written by a firm named "Kingsley Napley" on behalf of Hasina, who is currently a fugitive death-row convict, addressed to the ICT, has been making rounds on social media.

Aminul, acknowledging that he learned about the matter through media reports, also said a fugitive has no legal right to appoint a lawyer during trial proceedings, adding that sending such a letter would amount to contempt of court.

Speaking to journalists at his office today (2 April), he said, "No, we have not received any such letter, nor are we aware of this. We came to know through you that a firm named Kingsley Napley may have sent something."

Referring to a copy obtained through the media, he said the letter was vaguely addressed to the tribunal and began with "Dear ICT", which the chief prosecutor described as inappropriate. "If it is indeed a London-based firm, this is not the kind of language they would normally use," he added.

According to media reports, a UK-based legal firm named Kingsley Napley reportedly sent an email to the tribunal on 30 March on behalf of Hasina, claiming the proceedings against her were unlawful. A photo of the letter has gone viral on social media.

Questioning the credibility of the sender, Aminul said they could not verify any website of the firm. "When trials involving powerful individuals are ongoing, such attempts using names of so-called firms may be made to mislead the media and draw public attention," he said.

The tribunal on 17 November last year sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death after convicting her on four counts, including incitement, instigation, and orders leading to the killing of 1,400 people during the 2024 July Uprising.

Hasina, who fled to India and has been living there since being ousted from power on 5 August 2024, denied all allegations in a statement, claiming she and her party were not given a fair opportunity to defend themselves.

Responding to a question about whether a death-row fugitive can send such a letter, the chief prosecutor said, "There is absolutely no scope. How can she engage a firm? And even if she did, what legal standing does that firm have to write such a letter?"

He added that such actions could be considered contemptuous. "The letter states, 'We act on behalf of Sheikh Hasina.' This raises the question of whether they are acting as lobbyists. If so, it appears to be a deliberate attempt to create controversy around the tribunal."

He emphasised that the prosecution is not taking the matter seriously and remains unconcerned.

"The tribunal will continue its proceedings as usual. Those of us working in the prosecution have neither the time nor the scope to dwell on such issues," he said.