ICT to decide on charges against Hasina, 2 others on July 10

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has scheduled July 10 to decide whether to frame charges against Sheikh Hasina, ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The case concerns allegations of crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, fixed the date following the conclusion of the second day of hearings on charge framing.

On July 6, state-appointed defense counsel Qutub Uddin Ahmed appeared on behalf of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both currently absconding. Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the only accused in custody, was present before the tribunal.

The prosecution formally petitioned to start trial proceedings against the three accused on July 1, after receiving an investigation report from the tribunal’s agency on May 12, which alleged crimes against humanity by the trio.

On June 1, the tribunal took cognizance of the charges, which include superior command responsibility, incitement, and directing mass killings, torture, and repression. The charges allege that these actions led to the deaths of at least 1,400 people during protests in July and August.

The charges have been brought under the legal frameworks of Joint Criminal Enterprise (JCE) and superior responsibility.