Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Prof Dr. Asif Nazrul. Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Nov 17, 2025 (BSS) – Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Prof Dr. Asif Nazrul today described the verdict of International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a case against Sheikh Hasina and two others as “another victory of the July mass uprising”.

“Today’s verdict is a memorable and historic milestone in the history of justice in Bangladesh,” he told journalists at the secretariat while giving immediate reaction over the verdict.

Asif Nazrul said the verdict is not any form of political vengeance; rather, it is the outcome of justice delivered on the basis of irrefutable evidences. 

He said the fresh, strong and extensive evidence presented before the court against Sheikh Hasina and her associates would have resulted in the maximum punishment in any court in the world.

The adviser said that during the judicial process, the incidents of violence, shootings, abductions, detentions, torture, and mass killing committed in the July–August mass uprising of 2024 were examined with utmost seriousness. 

The brutality of these incidents caused massive loss of life and permanent physical injuries, inflicting a grave blow to the country’s democratic security framework, he said.

Becoming emotional during the briefing, the law adviser said: “Today I particularly remember those who sacrificed their lives in the July movement—Abu Saeed, Mugdho, Wasim, Yamin, Anas, Riya Gope, and countless other martyrs.” 

He said that today’s verdict may bring at least some peace to their departed souls and provide long-awaited solace to their bereaved families.

He said that another formal letter will be sent to India seeking the extradition of Sheikh Hasina. If India continues to shelter a person convicted of crimes against humanity, it will be considered a hostile and condemnable act towards Bangladesh, he added. 

Asif Nazrul said the government is progressing with the extradition process within the framework of international law and is strengthening the legal procedures.

Expressing the commitment to continue the judicial proceedings, the Law Adviser said that as long as the current government is in office, the trial will continue with full vigor. 

He said that regardless of which government comes next, the nation expects that they must not retreat from this grave responsibility.

Thanking Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, the prosecution team, investigating officers, and hundreds of witnesses, he said that those who testified in court for the sake of truth, defying fear and intimidation, are vital contributors to the establishment of justice through this verdict.

Earlier, today, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising.

Alongside this, the Tribunal has awarded former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun a "lenient sentence" of five years' imprisonment for making a full disclosure of the events and cooperating with investigators as state approver.