ICT receives no letter from Hasina

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam has stated that the tribunal has not received any letter from ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or any organisation representing her regarding charges of crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July Uprising.

His remarks come amid the circulation on social media of a photo of a letter allegedly written by a UK-based legal firm, Kingsley Napley, on behalf of Hasina, who is currently a fugitive death-row convict.

The letter was reportedly addressed to the ICT and claimed that the proceedings against her were unlawful.

Speaking to journalists on April 2, Aminul said they learned of the letter through media reports. He emphasised that a fugitive has no legal right to appoint a lawyer during trial proceedings, and sending such a letter could amount to contempt of court.

Referring to a copy of the letter obtained via media sources, the chief prosecutor said it was vaguely addressed to the tribunal, beginning with “Dear ICT,” which he described as inappropriate for a professional legal communication. He also questioned the credibility of the sender, noting they could not verify the firm’s website.

“The letter states, ‘We act on behalf of Sheikh Hasina.’ This raises the question of whether they are acting as lobbyists. If so, it appears to be a deliberate attempt to create controversy around the tribunal,” he said, adding that the prosecution is not taking the matter seriously and will continue its proceedings as usual.

The ICT sentenced Hasina to death on 17 November 2025 after convicting her on four counts, including incitement, instigation, and ordering killings that resulted in 1,400 deaths during the 2024 July Uprising. She has been living in India since being ousted from power on 5 August 2024 and has denied all allegations, claiming she and her party were not given a fair chance to defend themselves.