Security tightened at ICT ahead of Sheikh Hasina's verdict date pronouncement

A strict security cordon has been imposed around the International Crimes Tribunal as it prepares to announce the verdict date in the war crimes case against Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and another accused over alleged crimes committed during the July–August 2024 movement.

From early Thursday (November 13), heavy deployments of police, RAB, BGB, army, and plainclothes intelligence personnel were seen securing the tribunal premises. Multiple security perimeters have been set up, with all visitors, including journalists, subjected to thorough searches before entry.

Authorities said the heightened measures aim to prevent any untoward incident or provocation as the three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, is scheduled to fix the verdict date at 10am. The other two members are Justices Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Earlier on October 23, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman delivered the prosecution’s closing arguments, drawing comparisons with global precedents of war crimes trials and seeking the maximum punishment for Sheikh Hasina and Kamal.

State witness and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun’s fate will be determined by the tribunal, as the prosecution left the decision to the bench.

The prosecution pressed five key charges, including incitement, use of lethal weapons, the killing of Abu Sayed, the Chankharpul murders, and the burning of bodies in Ashulia.

The formal case file spans 8,747 pages, supported by 84 witnesses and extensive documentary evidence.

Meanwhile, the banned Awami League has called a nationwide lockdown coinciding with the verdict announcement, leading to sporadic violence and multiple arrests across the country.

Despite the tension, tribunal prosecutors said they remain confident in maintaining an uninterrupted and secure judicial process.