The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its verdict on Monday against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her two top associates in a crimes against humanity case.
The verdict will be read out in court and broadcast on state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) to ensure transparency, the ICT prosecution told the media.
At a press conference on Sunday, prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim said announcement of the judgement will be aired simultaneously on the BTV and the official Facebook page of the tribunal.
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In addition, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will broadcast the verdict against Sheikh Hasina on large screens at various locations across Dhaka. A foreign news agency has also requested permission to air the verdict live.
When asked whether the fact that Sheikh Hasina is female would influence the tribunal’s decision, Tamim said, “While ordinary law provides limited priority in granting bail to women, minors, and the sick, no such provision exists in this law. The verdict will be based solely on the gravity of the alleged crimes, regardless of the accused’s gender.”
The ruling will be delivered by a three-member bench of ICT-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder. The other members are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
On 13 November, the tribunal had set the verdict date for Hasina and two other accused — former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. While Hasina and Asaduzzaman remain at large, Al-Mamun cooperated with the tribunal and provided testimony as a state witness.
The charges relate to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 mass uprising. According to the tribunal, Sheikh Hasina delivered “inciting” remarks at a press conference at Gonobhaban on 14 July 2024, which prompted a student-led mass protest. In response, she allegedly authorised the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons against the demonstrators.
The indictment also includes incidents such as the killing of student Abu Saeed at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, the shooting of six protesters in Chankharpul, Dhaka, and the burning deaths of six individuals in Ashulia.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam urged the tribunal to impose the maximum punishment on the accused, stating that the prosecution seeks justice for the scale of the alleged atrocities.
The charges against Hasina and other accused
Count 1 charged the defendants with murder, attempted murder, torture, and other acts of cruelty. It alleged that they abetted, incited, facilitated, were complicit in, and failed to prevent crimes carried out against civilians by law enforcement agencies and armed groups linked to the Awami League and its affiliates.
The count further stated that, following Hasina’s press conference on 14 July, former home minister Asaduzzaman, former IGP Mamun, and other senior officials of the then government aided, supported, and were complicit in a coordinated and brutal assault on unarmed student demonstrators.
Count 2 alleges that Hasina ordered the extermination of student protesters using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons. The prosecution claims that the then home minister and the then IGP carried out this directive by instructing law enforcement personnel under their command.
This charge accuses the defendants of knowingly ordering, facilitating, conspiring in, and being complicit in crimes against humanity.
Count 3 concerns the killing of Abu Sayed, a student protester near Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. Hasina is accused of making inflammatory remarks and directing the use of deadly weapons against demonstrators. Acting on this directive, Asaduzzaman and Mamun, along with other senior officials, allegedly instigated, aided, and were complicit in the actions of law enforcement and armed Awami League cadres.
According to the count, on 16 July 2024, officers reportedly fired multiple close‑range shots into Abu Sayed’s chest without provocation, as part of a broader, systematic attack on unarmed students. The prosecution asserts that the defendants ordered, incited, abetted, facilitated, conspired in, and committed other inhuman acts amounting to crimes against humanity.
Count 4 accuses the defendants of shooting and killing six unarmed protesters in Dhaka’s Chankharpul on 5 August last year. Hasina is again alleged to have made inflammatory remarks and ordered the use of deadly weapons against student protesters. The former home minister and IGP, along with other senior officials, are said to have instigated, aided, and been complicit in the actions of their subordinates and armed Awami League cadres. The prosecution maintains that the killings were carried out knowingly under the defendants’ orders, incitement, abetment, facilitation, complicity, and conspiracy, constituting crimes against humanity.
Count 5 charges the defendants with the shooting of six student protesters in Ashulia on 5 August 2024. Five of the victims were allegedly burned after death, while the sixth was reportedly set on fire while still alive. Hasina is accused of making inflammatory remarks and ordering the use of deadly weapons against student demonstrators. Following this directive, the defendants and other senior officials allegedly instigated, facilitated, and were complicit in the actions of law enforcement and armed Awami League cadres.
The prosecution stated this attack was carried out knowingly under the defendants’ orders, incitement, abetment, facilitation, complicity, and conspiracy, amounting to crimes against humanity and including other inhumane acts such as torture and murder.
