Sheikh Hasina has the opportunity to appeal: Attorney General

The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has also been sentenced to death.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, the state’s chief legal officer, said that Sheikh Hasina and the other convicted accused have the opportunity to appeal against the verdict.

He made the remarks on Friday, November 21, after speaking at a discussion organised by the Rotex Foundation in Shailkupa, Jhenaidah, on multi-disciplinary education, environmental development and practising religious values.

Attorney General Asaduzzaman said the trial was conducted based on all evidence. The defence will always try to claim that the trial was not fair. They have the chance to appeal the verdict.

Referring to comments made by the state minister for home affairs, he said the minister made those remarks due to not understanding the law. The government will proceed according to the mechanisms available for implementing the verdict. When asked about the execution of the verdict, he said he would provide his opinion if consulted.

Stating that the government is moving towards implementing the verdict, the attorney general said that based on the evidence in the July genocide case against Sheikh Hasina and the others, any court in the world would declare them guilty.

Asaduzzaman said Sheikh Hasina is not the main issue for him. He said he is concerned that more than 1,400 people were shot dead in just 20 days.