Hasina should return and face trial

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Aminul Islam on Monday said former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stated intention to return to Bangladesh should be followed by her appearance before the tribunal to face the cases pending against her.

Speaking to reporters at the International Crimes Tribunal, Aminul Islam described Hasina’s reported remarks from New Delhi about returning to the country as “political grandstanding”.

“Sheikh Hasina’s announcement from New Delhi about wishing to return home is nothing more than political grandstanding. If she truly has the courage, she should come back and face trial for the July massacre,” he said.

His comments came after Hasina, in an email interview with Indian media outlet NDTV published on Sunday, said she intended to return to Bangladesh this year.

The chief prosecutor also provided an update on the tribunal’s ongoing proceedings, saying 24 cases are currently under trial before the ICT.

Of these, the prosecution has received investigation reports in 10 cases related to the July violence, including those involving former ministers Shahajahan Khan and Amir Hossain Amu, as well as former Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik.

He said the prosecution is reviewing the investigation reports and that, once the assessment is completed, formal charges will be submitted to the tribunal without delay.