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Dhaka: Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) on Monday, November 17, convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity committed during last year's student-led agitation. However, Hasina denied all the charges against her.
The tribunal said that there was "enough evidence" against the former Bangladesh PM in the case, reported News18. The three-member tribunal will also pronounce its judgement against Hasina's two aides, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, over the same charges.
The tribunal concluded hearings on October 23 after 28 working days. During the hearing 54 witnesses were testified about the state's response to the student-led movement that toppled Hasina's government on August 5, 2024.
Notably, Hasina fled Bangladesh the same day amid intensifying unrest and has since been residing in India.
Hasina faced several charges related to the mass uprising that forced her out of office in August 2024. A UN rights office report estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 during the "July Uprising" as her government ordered a sweeping security crackdown.
Hasina and Kamal were declared fugitives and tried in absentia, while Mamun initially faced trial in person before turning approver.
Security has been heightened nationwide ahead of the verdict. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Sunday evening issued shoot-at-sight orders against anyone involved in arson, explosions or attempts to harm police and civilians.
The now-disbanded Awami League, Hasina's party, called a two-day shutdown ahead of the judgement. Army troops, Border Guard Bangladesh personnel and riot police have been deployed around the ICT-BD complex, with streets in the capital largely deserted amid fears of violence.
