Staff Reporter :
The International Crimes Tribunal has fixed Thursday for passing the indictment order against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, in a case related to alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising.
The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder, issued the order on Monday.
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam appeared on behalf of the prosecution and urged the court to frame charges against the three accused. State-appointed defence counsel Advocate Amir Hossain represented Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and argued for their discharge. Advocate Zayed Bin-Amjad represented former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who was produced before the court for the hearing. The prosecution began placing arguments on July 1, with Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam reading out all five charges against the accused trio and pleading for charge framing.
Earlier, on June 17, the ICT-1 published notices in two national dailies, directing ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender before the tribunal by June 24.
“…as per Rule 31 of the International Crimes (Tribunal-1) Rules of Procedure 2010 (Amendment), 2025, they are hereby ordered to surrender at this tribunal on June 24, 2025.
Otherwise, trial will be held in their absence as per Section 10A of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.”
As the two accused failed to appear despite the notice, the tribunal set July 7 to hold the hearing on charge framing.
Previously, on June 16, the tribunal had ordered publication of the surrender notice in two widely circulated dailies-one in Bangla and one in English-directed at the two fugitives.
On June 1, the tribunal took cognizance of the formal charge filed by the prosecution and scheduled June 16 for the next order. On that date, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam informed the court that Hasina and Kamal had not been arrested and that police sources believed they were currently in India. He then sought further directions, following which the tribunal issued public notices.
The prosecution has brought five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killing against the three accused. The investigation agency of the ICT submitted its probe report in the case on May 12.
