Bangladesh Crisis: The International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh is scheduled to announce its much-anticipated verdict on Monday, in the case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. They are accused of committing crimes against humanity during the July-August unrest in Bangladesh, following the anti-discrimination student movement. The tribunal had initially fixed November 13 as the date for verdict, but later rescheduled it for November 17.
Verdict on Hasina today
Tribunal-1, a three-member bench headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, is set to deliver its judgment this afternoon. Closing arguments were concluded on October 23, with Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman presenting the prosecution’s final statements, reported Dhaka Tribune. The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment for all three. Earlier, Tajul had argued seeking death penalty for Hasina, while accusing her of being “the nucleus around whom all the crimes were committed” during the uprising.
Violence erupts ahead of the verdict
Ahead of the verdict in the case, widespread violence erupted in various parts of Bangladesh. Car arson, cocktail explosions and road blockades across the country were reported. In addition to the army and police, border guards have been deployed by the government. As the verdict is awaited, there are questions whether ‘fugitive’ Hasina will be hanged, what are the charges against her and can she appeal against the verdict.
What are the charges against Hasina?
Hasina is being tried by Bangladesh’s ICT, which has brought crimes against humanity charges against her. According to reports, there are 5 charges related to her which include murder/killings across the country, attempted murder or violence, torture or “other inhumane acts”, ordering or directing “lethal force” against protestors, including students and incitement or conspiracy for violence or oppression of protesters.
Why the threat of death penalty? will she be hanged?
The question whether Hasina will be hanged arises as the prosecution are demanding death penalty for her. They claim Hasina responsible for the violence that ended up with very high casualties, around 1, 400 are reportedly dead. Based on these allegations of severe crimes against humanity, they are seeking maximum punishment, which is death. So, her hanging is not guaranteed yet, as final verdict must first be delivered by the tribunal. If she is sentenced to death, then the question of appeal becomes crucial.
Why she might not be able to appeal immediately?
Reports say that as per ICT’s own rules, Hasina can only appeal if she surrenders or is arrested. And, currently, she is in exile, reportedly in India and has refused to return to Bangladesh to present herself in court. Because the judgment could be delivered in absentia, which means without her being physically present, the process for appeal would be complicated by her non‑presence.
