NN Online:
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has set July 10 for delivering its order on whether to frame charges in a crimes against humanity case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, fixed the date after both prosecution and defence completed their arguments. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam argued in favour of indicting the three accused based on five formal charges related to atrocities allegedly committed during the July–August mass uprising.
Defence counsel Advocate Amir Hossain, appointed for Hasina and Kamal, urged the court to dismiss the charges, while Advocate Zayed Bin-Amjad represented Mamun, who was produced before the court for the hearing.
The prosecution had started presenting its arguments on July 1 and sought formal charges to be framed against the high-profile trio. Earlier, on June 1, the tribunal accepted the formal charges and scheduled June 16 for further orders.
Following this, the tribunal instructed authorities to publish notices in two national dailies on June 17, asking Sheikh Hasina and Kamal to surrender by June 24. When both failed to appear, the court proceeded with the hearing in absentia as per legal provisions.
The prosecution informed the court that both fugitives are believed to be in India. The ICT’s investigation agency had earlier submitted its probe report on May 12, detailing five charges, including crimes against humanity and mass killings.
The tribunal will announce on July 10 whether it will frame charges and move to trial in this landmark case.
