ICT issues public summons for Hasina, Kamal to appear in court within 7 days

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has directed the authorities to publish public summons in two newspapers, ordering fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to appear before the court within seven days.

The order was issued on Monday by a three-member panel led by Tribunal Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, following a petition hearing, confirmed ICT Chief Prosecutor Advocate Tajul Islam.

He stated that the court instructed the authorities to publish the notice in both a Bengali and an English-language newspaper.

According to UNB, the tribunal has taken into cognisance five specific charges against the accused, including Sheikh Hasina, and scheduled the next hearing for 24 June.

The court also reissued arrest warrants for the absconding individuals.

Earlier in the day, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was produced before the tribunal.

During the proceedings, the court ordered the publication of the summons for Hasina and Kamal, citing their fugitive status.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam formally submitted the charges, holding Hasina responsible for atrocities committed during the pro-democracy uprising between July and August last year.

According to the case statement, approximately 1,500 people were killed in the course of the anti-government protests.

On 5 August last year, amid nationwide unrest, Sheikh Hasina reportedly fled the country and sought refuge in India.

Subsequently, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership and restructured the tribunal to prosecute those responsible for mass killings—the first case being filed against Hasina.

After a six-month probe, the investigation agency submitted its final report on 12 May, which was formally placed before the court on Sunday.