Extra security measures have been taken at the International Crimes Tribunal ahead of the verdict in a case filed for crimes against humanity against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her two top aides.
Army personnel have been deployed around the tribunal and Supreme Court premises in Dhaka. They were also seen stationed in front of the Mazar Gate.
For security reasons, traffic has been blocked on the road from Doel Chattar towards Shikkha Bhaban, while search operations are being carried out in key areas of the capital.
However, the tribunal is expected to sit at 11am on Monday.
The Awami League, whose activities remain banned, announced a two-day “complete shutdown” programme starting Sunday. Earlier, despite restrictions, the party had declared protest and “Dhaka lockdown” programmes from 10 to 13 November in anticipation of the verdict.
Since the announcement of these programmes, reports of crude bomb explosions and vehicles being set on fire have emerged from Dhaka and other parts of the country.
State-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) will broadcast live the verdict in the case related to crimes committed during the July 2024 mass uprising.
Two other accused in the case are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdulla-al-Mamun.
Hasina and Kamal fled the country following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August last year. Mamun, currently in custody, will be the only accused present in the dock as the three-member bench led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder reads out the judgement.
