Sheikh Hasina's judicial process progressing as per legal procedure: ICT Chief Prosecutor

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said that Sheikh Hasina's trial is proceeding through the appropriate legal process regarding the July genocide charges. He mentioned that the trial is progressing at the necessary pace, with the required amount of time being allotted for the proceedings.

A hearing will be held on Tuesday (July 1) to determine whether charges of crimes against humanity will be brought against Hasina in connection with the July incident. Prior to this, on Monday (June 30), the Chief Prosecutor addressed the media at the International Crimes Tribunal.

Tajul Islam told the journalists, "The trial of Sheikh Hasina is progressing at the pace necessary for justice. We are maintaining both the swift resolution of the case and upholding all standards of justice."

He added that there is no reason to be concerned about how long the process is taking. "Because the trial must be completed through justice, it is not possible to hastily conclude the case like a mobile court," he said.

The Chief Prosecutor further said, "The court will determine how quickly the rest of the trial proceeds. We are not taking, nor will we take, one extra day. We will do what is necessary to conclude the trial in a timely manner. The rest depends on the court's procedures."

Notably, on June 24, the three-member tribunal, led by Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, set July 1 for a hearing regarding the framing of charges against the fugitive, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.

Earlier, on June 17, the tribunal had issued a notice ordering Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender in connection with crimes against humanity related to the July-August genocide.