Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -File Photo

DHAKA, Oct 16, 2025 (BSS) - The prosecution at the International Crimes 
Tribunal (ICT)-1 today concluded placing their arguments in a case against 
three persons including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over their 
alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising.

At the end of prosecution arguments, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, chairman 
of the three members' panel of the tribunal, adjourned the hearing till 
October 20. The defence is scheduled to start placing their arguments on that 
day.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam placed the arguments for the 
prosecution, presenting different documentaries made on July Mass Uprising, 
audio records of the telephonic conversations between Sheikh Hasina and 
different persons, among other things, before the court.

He also referred to testimonies of different prosecution witnesses and placed 
links between the crimes against humanity committed to suppress Mass Uprising 
in 'systematic way'.

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.