ICT sentences Hasina, Kamal to death for July crimes against humanity

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) today convicted and sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising, holding them liable under the doctrine of superior command responsibility.

The three-member bench, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered the judgment after finding them guilty on multiple counts.

According to the tribunal, Sheikh Hasina exercised command authority over Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, and bore responsibility for halting the nationwide atrocities. Similarly, Kamal held superior command over IGP Al-Mamun and other senior security officials. In all instances, the tribunal observed, the accused not only failed to stop the crimes but also instigated and abetted them.

Charges Under Count One

Hasina and Kamal were found guilty on three counts under Charge No. 1:
Count 1: Incitement through a provocative July 14, 2024 press briefing where Hasina branded protesters as “children of Razakars.”
Count 2: A July 14 phone call with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal in which she again labelled protesters “Razakars” and threatened to hang them. The tribunal held that the subsequent violence stemmed from this incitement and that she failed to restrain subordinates.
Count 3: The killing of Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.

For these three counts, both Hasina and Kamal were sentenced to imprisonment until natural death.

Charges Under Count Two

The tribunal also convicted them under three counts of Charge No. 2:
Count 1: Ordering the use of helicopters, drones and lethal weapons against protesters, as evidenced in Hasina’s recorded conversation with Hasanul Haque Inu.
Count 2: The killing of six unarmed students in Chankharpul on August 5, 2024.
Count 3: The shooting of six protesters in Ashulia the same day, followed by the burning of their bodies to destroy evidence.

For these offences, the tribunal sentenced both accused to death.

Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was also found guilty but was given a reduced sentence of five years for turning approver, fully disclosing events and cooperating with investigators.

The court additionally ordered the confiscation of all properties belonging to Hasina and Kamal in favour of the state and directed authorities to ensure compensation for families of those killed or injured during the uprising.

Delivery of the Judgment

The tribunal began reading out the verdict at 12:50pm. Justice Mozumder noted that the judgment spans 453 pages in six sections, and only the summary would be read out. Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury read his section until 1:10pm, followed by Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood until 1:56pm. The tribunal chief delivered the sentencing portion, concluding at 2:45pm.

Before pronouncing the verdict, Justice Mozumder expressed gratitude to the Attorney General, prosecution team, investigators, tribunal staff and journalists.

Former IGP-turned-approver Al-Mamun was produced at the court around 9am. Security around the tribunal was tightened, with the Army, BGB, RAB and police deployed across all entry points.

This is the first ICT case relating to the state crackdown during the July Mass Uprising to reach judgment. Bangladesh Television aired the proceedings live, with most private networks simulcasting.

Trial Proceedings

On October 23, the tribunal set November 13 for the verdict after Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam finished his rebuttal. Defence submissions ended on October 22, with state-appointed counsel Advocate Amir Hossain representing fugitive accused Hasina and Kamal, and Advocate Jaiad Bin Amjad defending Al-Mamun.

The defence argued for three days. The prosecution presented five days of arguments, submitting documentary evidence, audio recordings of alleged conversations involving Hasina, and witness testimonies to establish what it described as “systematic” crimes aimed at crushing the uprising.

A total of 54 prosecution witnesses testified, including the father of July martyr Abu Sayed, National Citizens’ Party Convener Nahid Islam and journalist Mahmudur Rahman. Al-Mamun had earlier pleaded guilty and become an approver.

On June 17, ICT-1 issued public notices requiring Hasina and Kamal to surrender by June 24 under amended ICT procedural rules, warning that the trial would proceed in absentia under Section 10A of the ICT Act. The notices followed the tribunal's cognizance of the formal charge filed on June 1.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul informed the tribunal that both accused were absconding and that intelligence reports suggested they were in India.

The prosecution had filed five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killings against Hasina, Kamal and Al-Mamun based on the investigation report submitted on May 12. Charges were formally framed on July 10.