Prosecution seeks death penalty for Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan

The prosecution at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 has completed its arguments in the case of crimes against humanity committed during the July–August movement, seeking the maximum punishment for Sheikh Hasina and her government’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

After five days of hearings, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam requested the death penalty for both leaders on Thursday, presenting the case before a three-member tribunal panel headed by Judge Md. Golam Mortuza Mazumder.

Regarding former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness, the prosecutor left the decision on punishment to the discretion of the court.

Highlighting the scale of the killings during the July uprising, Tajul Islam stated that 1,400 students and civilians lost their lives. “If one person is given the death penalty for a single murder, then for the killing of 1,400 people, Sheikh Hasina should theoretically receive 1,400 death penalties. Though the law does not allow this, we are seeking the maximum punishment—death penalty—for crimes against humanity,” he said.

The prosecutor added that enforcing the sentence would ensure justice for the people of the country.