The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in a case linked to crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has also been given the death penalty.

The verdict was delivered on Monday (17 November) by Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumder, with Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury serving as the other panel members.

This ruling marks the first judgment relating to killings and other crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July uprising.

At 12:40 pm, Judge Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury began reading the opening section of the 453-page judgment, which is divided into six chapters. After about two hours and ten minutes, the panel concluded the summary and announced the sentences for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at 2:50 pm.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, the tribunal was reconstituted. The first case taken up by the reorganized tribunal was the one against Sheikh Hasina, relating to alleged atrocities during the July uprising. The newly formed tribunal held its first hearing on 17 October last year, issuing an arrest warrant for her on that very day.

Initially, Sheikh Hasina was the sole accused. On 16 March this year, prosecutors sought to add former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as a co-accused. The tribunal approved the request.

After several extensions, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on 12 May. Prosecution filed formal charges against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan, and Al-Mamun on 1 June, bringing five allegations in total.

The accusations included:

• Delivering inciting remarks during a press briefing at Ganabhaban on 14 July last year,

• Ordering the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons to suppress protesting students and civilians,

• The shooting death of Abu Saeed, a student at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur,

• The killing of six demonstrators in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area, and

• The burning of six people in Ashulia.

The tribunal framed charges on 10 July. Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan remain fugitives, while former IGP Al-Mamun is the only one in custody.

On the same day charges were framed, Al-Mamun admitted involvement in crimes during the uprising and applied to testify as an approver (state witness). The tribunal began hearing arguments on 12 October, finishing on 23 October. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam demanded the death penalty for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan.

State-appointed lawyer Md. Amir Hossain, representing both fugitives, argued for their acquittal. Former IGP Al-Mamun’s counsel, Zayed Bin Amjad, also sought his client’s acquittal despite his approver status.