Fugitives must surrender within 30 days to appeal death sentence: ICT chief prosecutor
If they surrender within this period, they can submit their appeal to the Supreme Court, which will decide it within 60 days, says Tajul
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam has clarified that the death-row convicts Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal have no legal right to appeal their sentences as long as they remain fugitives, and can only do so if they surrender in Bangladesh.
"The accused can file an appeal with the Supreme Court within 30 days if they wish. But no fugitive can do so, because a fugitive has no legal rights. To appeal, they must come to Bangladesh, surrender, and go to jail. Only then they can challenge the sentence in the Supreme Court. If they do not surrender, they will lose the right to appeal," Tajul said after the tribunal pronounced the verdict today (17 November).
On the timeline, Tajul explained, "According to the law, they can appeal within 30 days from today (the verdict day). If they surrender within this period, they can submit their appeal to the Supreme Court, which will decide it within 60 days."
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He added, "If they respect the law and surrender according to the verdict, they can present arguments and evidence in the Supreme Court to prove their innocence. The legal process will follow its course."
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity committed during last year's July Uprising.
The third accused in the case, former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, was spared the death penalty and sentenced to five years in jail owing to his becoming a state witness.
Hasina has fled to India on 5 August last year in face of a mass uprising. She has been living in the neighbouring country since then.
Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is also residing in India.
Following the verdict, Dhaka today urged New Delhi to immediately hand over fugitive convicts Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, stressing that the step is India's treaty-bound obligation.
