The prosecution will formally submit charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising last year.
The proceedings of this high-profile case will be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV), the prosecution confirmed. This marks the first-ever live broadcast of trial proceedings in the country.
The announcement came during a seminar titled “Immediately Try Those Involved in Enforced Disappearances” held at the National Press Club on Saturday, organised to observe International Week of the Disappeared.
International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam stated, “Formal charges will be filed tomorrow against ousted leader Sheikh Hasina.”
Prosecutor Ghazi MH Tamim later added, “Subject to tribunal approval, court proceedings in Hasina’s case will be broadcast live on BTV at 9:30am Sunday.”
“For the first time, Bangladeshi citizens will witness tribunal proceedings live on television, ensuring transparency in the judicial process,” Tamim noted.
Earlier on May 20, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam announced via Facebook that the courtroom had been upgraded with digital technology for trying the July-August crimes against humanity. “Any phase of the trial may be broadcast live or recorded in media/social platforms with court permission,” he wrote.
Sunday’s indictment names – alongside Hasina – former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as co-accused. The tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its report to the chief prosecutor on May 12, identifying Hasina as allegedly orchestrating the July massacres.