File Photo

DHAKA, May 31, 2025(BSS) - The prosecution will submit formal charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) tomorrow in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam today disclosed the information at a discussion on 'Immediate trial of the persons involved in enforced disappearance,' at National Press Club here.

Human rights organization 'Adhikar' organized the discussion on the occasion of the International Enforced Disappearances Week' where the chief prosecutor was present as main discussant.  

Holding former prime minister Sheikh Hasina responsible for 'Aynaghar' and enforced Disappearances, Tajul Islam said that significant development in the trial of the cases against her would surface by December.

"We are firmly committed to take advance the trial process as the investigation in those cases has been progressing in full swing," he said, adding: "But we need some logical time for completing the investigation."

The investigators have already completed investigation of 10 to 15 important cases by this time and the charges in these cases would be submitted at the ICT within June, the chief prosecutor said.

"We have been taking maximum precautions regarding trial of these cases and maintaining international standard and human rights," he said, adding: "We are very much careful so that no injustice takes place in the name of trial that had earlier occurred in the ICT."

Charges of crimes against humanity against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun would be submitted to the ICT tomorrow, Tajul Islam said. 

On May 12, the Investigation Agency of the tribunal submitted its probe report against the deposed prime minister, bringing five allegations of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

While briefing on the probe report at a press conference on that day, the chief prosecutor told the media that a series of crimes against humanity were committed across the country including killings and injuries caused by gunfire and inhumane act of burning bodies. "After a thorough investigation into these allegations, a report has been submitted, identifying Sheikh Hasina as the mastermind and superior commander who ordered these actions," he said.

The former prime minister is already facing two other cases filed with the ICT- one over alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her 15.5-year-long rule and the other over killings during the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally in city's Shapla Chattar.

Citing the probe report, Tajul said Hasina is directly responsible for ordering all state forces, her party, and its associated bodies to carry out actions that led to mass killings, injuries, targeted violence against women and children, burning of bodies, and refusal of treatment to the wounded.

After the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5 last year, on August 8 Noble laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus took over the charge of the interim government.