Live : Tribunal’s first verdict in July murder case today

Dhaka , Bangladesh : The verdict in the case filed against Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising is being announced today. The verdict is scheduled to be broadcast live from the courtroom of the International Crimes Tribunal-1. This is the first case filed for crimes against humanity, including murders during the uprising, and the verdict is set to be delivered today, Monday.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, will pronounce the verdict in the case. The other two members of this tribunal are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

During the hearing of this case, the prosecution (state party) has repeatedly stated that Sheikh Hasina was the mastermind (planner), order-giver, and superior commander (supreme commander) of all crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

Apart from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in a mass uprising, the other two accused in the case are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Of the three accused, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman are absconding. Both are now residing in India.

Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the only accused arrested in the case, confessed to his guilt and gave a statement to the tribunal as an ‘approver’ or royal witness. In his statement, he said that the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had directly ordered the use of ‘lethal weapons’ to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement. He received Sheikh Hasina’s instructions on July 18 last year through the then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.

The investigation report in this case states that, on the orders of Sheikh Hasina, 1,500 innocent, unarmed students and the public were killed and 30,000 people were injured using deadly weapons in July-August 2024.

While presenting arguments in the case, the prosecution has sought the death penalty for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman. At the same time, the prosecution has requested that their properties be confiscated and handed over to the families of those martyred in July as well as the injured July fighters. In addition, the prosecution believes that former IGP Mamun has revealed the full truth of the incident as an ‘approver’ and the tribunal will give appropriate orders in his regard. On the other hand, the state-appointed lawyer on their behalf has sought the acquittal of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman.