The first witness in the case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others, accused of crimes against humanity during the July-August 2024 student-led uprising, broke down in court on Sunday, saying: “My life is over.”
The testimony was heard at International Crimes Tribunal-1, presided over by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumder, following opening statements by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam.
Khokon Chandra Barman, a 23-year-old witness, recounted before the tribunal the events of July 18, 2024, in Narayanganj’s Signboard area.
He described how police opened fire on students and civilians “like birds,” and said he was shot in his limbs before being targeted in the head. He survived after hiding behind oil drums, but another shot struck his face, leaving him critically injured.
“I lost one eye completely; my other eye sees only blurred vision. My nose and jaw are destroyed. My face is disfigured. My life is over,” Khokon said, removing his mask in court to reveal his injuries.
He added that he had undergone treatment at multiple hospitals in Dhaka before being sent to Russia for advanced care. He is scheduled to go to Russia for further surgery on August 12.
Breaking down in tears, he demanded justice for himself and the “brothers” killed during the uprising, calling for the trial of Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, Awami League leader Shamim Osman, and others.
Following his testimony, state-appointed defense counsel Amir Hossain cross-examined Khokon on behalf of Sheikh Hasina. The tribunal will hear the next witness on Monday.
Earlier in the day, Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman described the proceedings as “historic” and called for justice over what he termed “the July-August atrocities.”
Background of the case
On July 10, ICT-1 formally framed charges of crimes against humanity against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, stemming from atrocities committed during last year’s mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government.
The tribunal also accepted IGP Al-Mamun’s plea to become an approver, admitting guilt and offering to testify against his co-accused.
Hasina and Kamal, both absconding, are being represented by state-appointed defense lawyers after they failed to surrender despite court-issued notices.
The charges include five counts of crimes against humanity, including mass killings and systematic violence against students and civilians during the 2024 uprising.
This case marks the first trial initiated by the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal following the regime change last August.
Hasina also faces two other cases at the tribunal– one over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her 15-and-a-half-year rule, and another over the deadly 2013 crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam protesters at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar.
The tribunal continues to receive extensive complaints alleging genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the student-led uprising by government forces, ruling party cadres, and loyal sections of law enforcement.
Next hearing
ICT-1 will resume proceedings Monday to hear additional witness testimonies in this landmark case.
