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Security has been tightened across the country, particularly in and around the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka, ahead of Monday’s verdict in a high-profile case of crimes against humanity.
The tribunal is set to deliver its judgement on cases against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others, who stand accused of crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August uprising.
The verdict will be delivered amid fresh tensions as a series of arson and crude bomb attacks were reported in Dhaka, Savar, Kushtia, Gazipur and other parts of the country.
Awami League, whose activities remain banned in Bangladesh, called for a ‘complete shutdown’ on Sunday and Monday in protest citing several demands including the cancellation of the tribunal’s proceedings.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed in Dhaka, Gopalganj, Faridpur and Madaripur districts to ensure overall security and maintain law and order.
Two other accused in the case are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Mamun testified as a state witness.
The prosecution has claimed all five charges against Hasina and other accused have been proven and sought the maximum punishment.
In a press briefing on November 13, Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam said they have appealed to the court for the highest penalty.
On the other hand, state-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain has sought acquittal for both Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan, while Mamun’s lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad has also sought his acquittal.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said whatever verdict the tribunal delivers in case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday will be executed and people will accept it.
Law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to prevent any untoward incident centering the verdict, he said.
Bangladesh Television (BTV) will broadcast the verdict live.
The live verdict will be shown via giant screen at 10 spots of the Dhaka, said MH Tamim, a prosecutor of the ICT.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged people and political parties to resist the ‘vested quarter’ that, he alleged, is trying to create anarchy ahead of Monday’s verdict in the case filed against ‘fascist Sheikh Hasina for committing genocide’.
“The verdict in the trial over the genocide committed by fascist Hasina will be delivered tomorrow (Monday). Extreme uncertainty and fear are now prevailing across the entire country because of this,” Fakhrul said at a discussion in Dhaka.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its report on February 12 said Bangladesh’s previous government and security and intelligence services, alongside violent elements associated with the Awami League, systematically engaged in a range of serious human rights violations during last year’s student-led protests.
Based on deaths reported by various credible sources, the report estimates that as many as 1,400 people may have been killed between 15 July and 5 August, and thousands were injured, the vast majority of whom were shot by Bangladesh’s security forces. it said.
Initially, Sheikh Hasina was the sole accused in the case.
On March 16 this year, the prosecution appealed to include former IGP Mamun as an accused alongside Sheikh Hasina and the tribunal approved it.
After the Awami League government was toppled on August 5, 2024, the ICT was reconstituted.
The first case in the reconstituted tribunal concerned alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising, with Sheikh Hasina as the accused.
The tribunal conducted its first hearing on October 17 last year, issuing an arrest warrant against Hasina that day.
After extending the deadline several times, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its final probe report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on May 12 this year.
On June 1, the prosecution formally filed charges against Sheikh Hasina and the two accused.
The charges include inciting violence in a press conference at Ganabhaban on 14 July 2024, ordering the elimination of protestors using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons, shooting death of student Abu Sayed at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, killing of six protestors at Chankharpul, Dhaka and burning of six people to death in Ashulia.
The tribunal formally framed these charges on July 10.
Hasina and Asaduzzaman remain at large, while former IGP Mamun is the only arrested accused.
On the day the charges were framed, Mamun admitted his involvement in crimes against humanity during the uprising and applied to testify as a state witness.
Arguments in the case began on October 12 and concluded on October 23.
Relatives of victims, including the father of martyr Abu Sayed testified in the case, along with key witnesses including Nahid Islam, Convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman.
In total, 54 witnesses testified during the trial.