News Flash
DHAKA, Oct 13, 2025 (BSS)- The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today adjourned till tomorrow the hearing of a case against three persons including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over their alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July-August Mass Uprising.
The three-member ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order as the prosecution placed their arguments in the case for second consecutive day.
ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam continued placing the arguments, narrating the scale of the crimes committed by the accused.
The chief prosecutor at the time also showed video footage of killing of college student Hridoy on August 5, 2024, in Gazipur Konabari area. Hridoy, who used to drive an auto rickshaw to help his family, was shot from behind by police constable Akram, after nabbing him from a jubilation procession as the news of Sheikh Hasina’s ousting made public.
“Police threw his body in river Kodda under the shadow of darkness. Constable Akram has already been arrested and given confessional statement,” Tajul said.
On October 12, the chief prosecutor in his arguments stated that the July 2024 Mass Uprising had become inevitable as the Awami League government gradually turned into a “monster” during its 15-year rule.
Earlier, a total of 54 prosecution witnesses — including the father of July martyr Abu Sayed, National Citizen’s Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam and journalist Mahmudur Rahman — testified in the case and were cross-examined by the defence counsel.
Advocate Amir Hossain, the state-appointed counsel for fugitives Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, cross-examined the witnesses. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, another accused in the case, had earlier pleaded guilty and became an approver.
On June 17, ICT-1 published notices in two national dailies asking Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender before the court by June 24.
“As per Rule 31 of the International Crimes (Tribunal-1) Rules of Procedure, 2010 (Amendment 2025), they are ordered to surrender before this tribunal on June 24, 2025. Otherwise, the trial will proceed in absentia under Section 10A of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973,” the notice said.
The tribunal issued the notices on June 16 after taking cognizance of the formal charges submitted on June 1.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul informed the court that Hasina and Kamal were absconding, citing intelligence reports suggesting that they were in India.
The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killings against Hasina, Kamal and Abdullah Al-Mamun, based on a probe report filed by the ICT investigation agency on May 12. The tribunal framed the charges against the trio on July 10.
