Fakhrul demands full justice and transparency in Hasina’s verdict
Earlier, on 13 November, the three-member ICT-1 bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder fixed 17 November for pronouncement of the verdict.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has demanded full justice and complete transparency in the verdict of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in crimes against humanity case at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) tomorrow (17 November).
In a Facebook post today (16 November), Fakhrul said, "Tomorrow, the ICT is set to deliver its verdict against Sheikh Hasina in a case related to last year's deadly violence and repression in Dhaka, in which five charges of crimes against humanity have been brought."
"We call for full justice and transparency," he added.
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Earlier, on 13 November, the three-member ICT-1 bench led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder fixed 17 November for pronouncement of the verdict.
The tribunal will broadcast the verdict live tomorrow on Bangladesh Television and display it on large screens at several locations in Dhaka. It will also be streamed on the ICT's official Facebook page, the prosecution confirmed.
Besides Sheikh Hasina, the other accused are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Former IGP Al-Mamun has provided testimony as an approver in the case.
Earlier, ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam told reporters that the tribunal would ensure a fair and precedent-setting judgement. "We prayed for the maximum punishment. The court will exercise its discretion, and we hope the accused receive the highest possible sentence."
Arguments concluded on 22 October after defence lawyers presented submissions for three consecutive days, followed by five days of prosecution arguments. Prosecutors submitted various documents related to the July Uprising, including audio recordings of phone conversations allegedly involving Sheikh Hasina.
On 17 June, the tribunal issued notices through two national dailies directing Sheikh Hasina and Kamal to surrender by 24 June.
The notices were published a day after the court took cognisance of the formal charges submitted on 1 June. The prosecution informed the tribunal that both were absconding, citing intelligence reports placing them in India.
The ICT formally brought five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killings against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun based on an investigation report submitted on 12 May. Charges were framed on 10 July.
