Testimony of Mahmudur Rahman underway in Sheikh Hasina case

Testimony of Mahmudur Rahman, Editor of the daily Amar Desh, is underway in the crimes against humanity case filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and one other accused for incidents committed in July–August.

The deposition began at 11:20 am on Monday (September 15) before the three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

Mahmudur Rahman arrived at the tribunal at around 10:45 am on the day. In this case against Sheikh Hasina, testimony is also scheduled from Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP). However, the prosecution has stated that he will testify on Tuesday (September 16).

Earlier, on September 9, six witnesses testified on the 14th day of hearings in the case. So far, the tribunal has recorded testimonies of 45 witnesses. On September 8, three witnesses deposed.

On September 2, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, former Inspector General of Police (IGP), who became an approver from being an accused in the case, testified as the 36th witness. His cross-examination concluded on September 4. He admitted that mass killings were carried out in July–August under the orders of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, for which he sought forgiveness, while also disclosing many previously unknown facts before the tribunal.

On September 1, the 10th day of testimony and cross-examination concluded, with six individuals testifying that day, including doctors, journalists, and eyewitnesses.

On July 10, the tribunal ordered the commencement of trial by framing formal charges against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Abdullah Al-Mamun. The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity against them in this case.