The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered the execution of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, by passing an order for hanging them over their involvement in the grave genocide in Bangladesh in July-August 2024.
They have been framed for crimes against humanity. The former Inspector General of Police Chowdhary Abdullah All-Mamun who acted as the witness in the case and gave the testimony against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, has been given a punishment for a five years sentence.
The three-member panel was led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, has read the 453-page verdict, consisting of six sections, against Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman in their absence. The other two members of the tribunal included Justice Md Mohitul Haque, Enam Chaudhary and Md Shafihul Alam Mahmood. Prosecutor Tajul Islam has earlier stated that the highest punishment should be given to Sheikh Hasina.
This verdict by the ICT-1 is stated as the most extreme one against the ousted Awami League leader. It is also important to note that the elections in Bangladesh are scheduled for February. The tribunal went a step ahead and also asked the government to give compensation to the victims of the crackdown.
Md Asadduzaman, who is the Attorney-General of the country, said that both Hasina and Kamal, who are in exile, cannot fight against the order since they are fugitives. He also announced the state’s verdict of seizing all properties belonging to the two inside the country, and also taking all necessary actions to ensure the order of execution is fulfilled.
Responding to the charges, Sheikh Hasina has released a statement saying that the charges were not justified, as the home minister and she have taken all actions to reduce the losses. She added that the situation went out of control, but nothing was premeditated and stating so was wrong.
Leaders of various parties and social organisations who gathered before the tribunal during the reading have constantly demanded the execution of the former prime minister.
