The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday (November 13) has set November 17 as the date to deliver its verdict in a high-profile case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July uprising.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, set the date at around 12:09 pm today. The other members are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, along with Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, and Faruk Ahmed, appeared for the prosecution in the tribunal, among others.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said, “I express my respect and gratitude to all the prosecutors, victims, and witnesses who have worked on this case. The court, with its wisdom and sense of justice, will deliver the right verdict and bring closure to the crimes against humanity committed in Bangladesh. The verdict is scheduled to be announced on November 17.”
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, during a press briefing at the tribunal premises, November 13, 2025. Photo: Kazi Salahuddin Razu
In addition to Sheikh Hasina, the case also names former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as co-defendants. Al-Mamun has already testified as an approver (state witness), admitting guilt and cooperating with the prosecution.
Earlier in the day, police brought former IGP Mamun to the tribunal from prison under tight security in a prison van after 9 am. While Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal remain absconding, Chowdhury Mamun has been in jail for about a year. He has, however, testified before the tribunal as a state witness. As a result, the prosecution has left the decision on the former IGP’s punishment to the tribunal, while seeking the maximum penalty for Sheikh Hasina and Kamal.
The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity — based on a probe report filed by the ICT investigation agency — against the accused, including incitement, use of lethal weapons, the killing of Abu Sayed, Chankharpul murders, and the burning of bodies in Ashulia. The formal charge sheet spans 8,747 pages, including 2,018 pages of source materials, 4,005 pages of seizure lists and documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages detailing the list of martyrs. A total of 84 witnesses were listed. The tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its report on the case to the chief prosecutor on May 12.
On June 17, ICT-1 published notices in two national dailies asking Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender before the court by June 24.
“As per Rule 31 of the International Crimes (Tribunal-1) Rules of Procedure, 2010 (Amendment 2025), they are ordered to surrender before this tribunal on June 24, 2025. Otherwise, the trial will proceed in absentia under Section 10A of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973,” the notice read.
The tribunal issued the notices on June 16 after taking cognisance of the formal charge submitted on June 1.
Notably, the tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to six months in prison for contempt of court on July 2, 2025.
On October 23, after 28 working days of testimony and cross-examination of 54 witnesses, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman delivered his closing arguments in the case. He cited examples of how prime ministers and other heavyweight leaders around the world had faced trial for crimes against humanity. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam later responded to several points raised by the state-appointed defense lawyer, Amir Hossain, who also gave counterarguments on behalf of the defense. Following this, the tribunal had set today as the date for announcing the verdict.