Opening statements have commenced in the trial against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power following the mass uprising in July-August 2024. She faces charges of crimes against humanity related to the events of that period.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, on Sunday (August 3), began presenting the opening arguments before International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder and comprised of three members.
Prior to this, Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman addressed the tribunal, terming the day “historic” and calling for justice. Other prosecutors were present during the session.
On the defense side, state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain is representing Sheikh Hasina, while lawyer Zayed Bin Amzad is representing co-accused and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who is also appearing as an approver (prosecution witness) in the case.
Earlier, on July 10, the tribunal framed charges against Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, formally initiating the trial.
The tribunal also approved Al-Mamun’s plea to testify as a state witness to uncover the truth behind the events.
Opening statements were scheduled for August 3, followed by witness testimonies on August 4.
In June, the tribunal ordered public notices in both Bengali and English newspapers summoning the fugitive Hasina and Kamal to appear before the court. After they failed to comply, state-appointed lawyers were assigned to represent them, and charges were formally framed on July 10.
Sheikh Hasina has been staying in India since she fled the country on August 5 last year. Kamal is also reportedly in India, according to several reports.
On June 1, the tribunal accepted formal charges against Hasina and her co-accused, involving five counts of crimes against humanity during the July-August uprising. These charges were filed by the prosecution following the collapse of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, after mass protests by students and citizens.
This case was the first registered at the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal following the fall of Hasina’s government.
In addition to this case, Sheikh Hasina faces two other trials: one concerning enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her 15-year rule, and another linked to the deadly crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam’s 2013 sit-in at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka.
The trials stem from allegations that during the July-August 2024 uprising, state forces, Awami League loyalists, and parts of the security apparatus perpetrated mass killings and crimes against humanity. These trials are being conducted across two restructured international crime tribunals, aimed at bringing justice for these grave offenses.
