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War Crimes Trial of Hasina, 2 Others Begins This Sunday
The war crimes trial against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others is set to begin on Sunday, August 3, with opening statements from the prosecution and the testimony of the first witness.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka will hear charges against Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July-August political uprising.
The tribunal has approved a live broadcast of the proceedings, marking a rare moment of transparency in such high-profile cases. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed the decision on Saturday, stating that live coverage would begin with Sunday’s session.
One of the accused, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who is currently in custody, has been granted permission to testify as a state witness on the condition of full disclosure. In a prior hearing, he admitted responsibility for mass killings during the uprising and pledged to assist the court with key details.
Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan remain fugitives. Despite multiple summonses, they have not appeared before the court. State-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain is representing the absconding defendants, while Zayed Bin Amzad is representing Al-Mamun.
On July 10, the tribunal indicted all three after rejecting petitions for dismissal, ordering the trial to proceed. The bench is led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, alongside Justices Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Previously, on June 1, the tribunal accepted five formal charges and issued new arrest warrants for Hasina and Khan. A public notice was published on June 17, requiring their surrender within seven days or face trial in absentia.
Prosecutors wrapped up arguments for charge framing on July 1, leading to the court’s decision to begin formal proceedings on August 3. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the political stature of the accused and the sensitive nature of the alleged crimes.