ICT issues arrest warrants against Hasina, Kamal

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, following the submission of a petition. This marks the first time in Bangladesh that the tribunal proceedings were broadcast live on television.

The prosecution has filed charges against three individuals, naming Sheikh Hasina as the mastermind behind the July-August genocide. The other accused are Kamal and former Police Inspector General Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. While Abdullah is currently in custody, Hasina and Kamal remain fugitives.

According to prosecution sources, the charge sheet against Hasina spans over 8,500 pages and includes five counts of allegations. An investigation report submitted on May 12 names Hasina as the key planner of the July genocide.

The tribunal, led by Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder, had earlier ordered the investigation into the July-August genocide cases to be completed by April 20. During recent hearings, Additional Chief Prosecutor Mizanul Islam represented the prosecution.

Last December, the tribunal had directed investigations into two cases involving Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 46 others to be completed within two months.

The ICT is currently trying Hasina and other accused for allegedly ordering and planning the shooting and killing of unarmed students and civilians during the anti-discrimination student movement. Nearly 1,500 people were reportedly killed in the government's crackdown to suppress the protests.