News Flash
DHAKA, Aug 17, 2025 (BSS) - The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today hoped that the testimony in the crimes against humanity case against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun would conclude by October.
"Except for the investigation officer, we hope to complete recording the testimony of the material witnesses in this case within September. At most, it may extend to the first week of October," prosecutor Mizanul Islam told newsmen.
Four new prosecution witnesses (PWs) testified in the case today and were later cross-examined by the defence. With them, a total of nine prosecution witnesses have so far testified in the case.
July protester Abdus Samad, 24, testified as PW-6 and narrated how he got shot by police on the back of his head on July 19, 2024, in front of BNS Centre in Uttara Azampur, while taking part in anti-discrimination movement rally there.
The witness said he was admitted twice to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, but the doctors there failed to extract the bullet from his head. The bullet was finally pulled out at Ibn Sina Hospital in Shankar, Dhanmandi after August 5, 2024.
PW-7 Md Mizan Miah testified as seizure list witness, corroborating the recovery of the bullet extracted from the back of the head of Samad, by the investigation officer.
Twenty-two year old Nayeem Shikder, who got shot by police in front of the residence of then Khulna City Corporation Mayor on August 4, 2024, testified as PW-8 and described how a cop fired only from five meter distance on the protesters, including him.
"I received around 500 pellets on my back. I was taken to three hospitals, one after another, but all of them refused to provide treatment. At one stage, one doctor at Khulna Medical College Hospital, pulled a bullet from my back without making me unconscious," Nayeem said.
The witness said he is still taking treatment at Bangladesh Medical University Hospital in the capital.
July Mass Uprising martyr Sazzad Hossain Sajal's mother Shahina Begum testified as PW-9 and narrated the heart wrenching incidents of August 5 in Ashulia area, where her son was killed by police and later his body was burnt.
All the witnesses demanded justice and pleaded for holding Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Chuwdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and others accountable for the vicious crimes committed during the July-August Mass Uprising.
The first tribunal on July 10 indicted the ousted prime minister and the other two for the role in crimes against humanity committed during July-August mass uprising.
The ICT-1 on June 17 published notice in two national dailies, asking ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender on June 24.
"...as per rules 31 of the International Crimes (Tribunal-1) Rules of Procedure 2010 (Amendment), 2025, they are hereby ordered to surrender at this tribunal on June 24, 2025. Otherwise, trial will be held in their absence as per section 10A of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973," the notice said.
The tribunal on June 16 ordered the authorities concerned to publish notices on two national dailies, one in Bangla and another in English, asking the two fugitive convicts to give up before the court.
Earlier, the ICT-1 on June 1 took cognizance of the formal charge, filed by the prosecution in the case, and had set June 16 for passing further order in this connection.
In line with that order, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam on June 16 said, of the three accused, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal are yet to be arrested and police learned from different sources that they are in India right now.
The prosecution in the formal charge brought five charges against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
The investigation agency of the ICT on May 12 filed its probe report in the crimes against humanity and mass killing case.
