Testimony against Sheikh Hasina’s crimes against humanity case begins tomorrow

The prosecution will deliver its opening statement and testimonies in the case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two others on charges of crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising will begin tomorrow (3 August).

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has also scheduled the testimony of the first witness for the same day and approved a live broadcast of the court's proceedings.

'The opening statement of the case will be presented tomorrow. It will be broadcast live, subject to the court's permission. The first testimony will also begin at the same time," said Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim today (2 August).

In this connection, the ICT in Dhaka will begin formal hearings involving case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who are now facing charges.

The tribunal earlier accepted a petition from former IGP of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun to testify as a state witness under the condition that he will fully disclose all truths.

During a previous hearing, Al-Mamun admitted responsibility for mass killings during the protests and offered to assist the court by revealing key details surrounding the alleged atrocities.

On 10 July, the tribunal indicted all three defendants rejecting appeals for dismissal of the charge against them and ordered to proceed with the trial process.

Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan remain fugitives while Al-Mamun remains in the custody.

State-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain is representing the two absconding defendants. Al-Mamun is represented by attorney Zayed Bin Amzad.

The tribunal's chief prosecutor, Mohammad Tajul Islam, led the prosecution team during indictment hearings, which were broadcast.