The state-appointed defence lawyer, representing those accused of crimes against humanity during the July-August uprising, has dismissed the charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Amir Hossain called the charges unfounded and said they were not supported by any evidence.
“The allegations of mass killing during the July uprising brought against Sheikh Hasina are not correct. I believe she is innocent,” he told reporters at a briefing at the tribunal premises after presenting the first day of arguments before ICT-1 on Monday.
“The prosecution has failed to present credible evidence or testimony to substantiate the allegations against her. I expect Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan will be acquitted.”
Hasina, along with Khan and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, are the accused in the case. Later, Mamun became an approver in the July-August massacre case.
Hasina took refuge in India while Khan is believed to be in that country too.
When asked whether he had any communication with the two fugitives, Hossain said in the negative.
“There is no provision for such contact. If she (Hasina) surrenders or is apprehended, only then the contact can be made,” he said.
Responding to another question on whether he presented all his arguments, he said, “I have not presented all my arguments today. I will elaborate further in the next session tomorrow.”
The court proceedings are being broadcast live on national television, marking a rare moment of transparency in such a politically sensitive case.
Earlier, starting on 16 October, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam placed arguments for five consecutive days, presenting different documentaries made on the July uprising, audio records of the telephonic conversations between Hasina and different persons, among other things, before the court.
He sought the death penalty for Hasina and Khan while leaving the fate of former IGP Mamun to the tribunal’s decision, as the latter testified as a state witness.
A total of 54 prosecution witnesses—including the father of July martyr Abu Sayed and National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, among others—testified in the case and were cross-examined by the defence counsel.
On 17 June, ICT-1 published notices in two national dailies asking Hasina and Khan to surrender before the court by 24 June.
“As per Rule 31 of the International Crimes (Tribunal-1) Rules of Procedure, 2010 (Amendment 2025), they are ordered to surrender before this tribunal on 24 June 2025. Otherwise, the trial will proceed in absentia under Section 10A of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973,” the notice said.
The tribunal issued the notices on June 16 after taking cognisance of the formal charge submitted on 1 June.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul informed the court that Hasina and Khan were absconding, citing intelligence reports suggesting that they were in India.
The prosecution brought five counts of crimes against humanity and mass killings against Hasina, Khan, and Mamun, based on a probe report filed by the ICT investigation agency on 12 May.
The tribunal framed the charges against the trio on 10 July.
