The International Crimes Tribunal-1 heard harrowing testimony on Monday as Dr. Zakia Sultana Nila, Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, described treating hundreds of patients injured by metal pellets and bullets during the July–August 2024 crackdown.
Appearing as a prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity case against Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, Dr. Nila testified that 493 patients permanently lost vision in one eye, 11 lost vision in both eyes, 28 suffered severe vision loss in both eyes, and 47 in one eye.
She recounted that on July 17, the first five pellet-wounded patients arrived at the hospital.
On July 18, a “blood-soaked day,” about 100 were admitted and over a hundred more treated. “I saw boys aged 14 to 25, holding their bleeding eyes, many blinded in one or both,” she said.
Surgeries continued late into the night across 10 operating tables. The influx continued on July 19 and again on August 4–6, with many patients concealing real names and IDs for safety.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam led the prosecution team. State-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain cross-examined on behalf of the absconding Hasina and Kamal. Former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, arrested and now a state witness, was present in the dock with his counsel.
The tribunal had indicted the three on July 10 for crimes against humanity during the 2024 student-led uprising. Nineteen witnesses have testified so far.
Two other cases are also pending against Hasina– one over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her 15-year rule, and another over the 2013 Shapla Chattar massacre.
