War Crimes Tribunal to Set Hasina Verdict Date Today

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) is scheduled to announce the date for the verdict in the crimes against humanity case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, stemming from the suppression of the July Uprising.

A three-member bench of the ICT-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, alongside Justices Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will set the verdict date on Thursday.

Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are the accused.

The trial began on October 17 last year and proceeded in absentia for Hasina and Kamal, who are believed to be in India. IGP Mamun, the only accused in custody, confessed and petitioned to turn state's witness on July 10. The charges, finalized on June 1, include five counts related to Hasina's "provocative speech" on July 14 last year and ordering the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons against protesters.

The killing of student Abu Sayed in Rangpur, six protesters in Dhaka's Chankharpul area and the burning of six people in Ashulia. Overall charges are based on incitement, instigation, superior command responsibility, and joint criminal enterprise leading to the killing of 1,400 people.

Both the prosecution, which sought the death penalty for Hasina and Kamal, and the defense, which requested their acquittal, concluded their final arguments on October 23.

The "banned" Awami League has called for a “Dhaka Lockdown” on Thursday in response to the looming verdict date announcement.

The announcement follows several days of sporadic violence, including bombings and vehicle arson, which police prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam attributed to an "evil attempt to create a chaotic situation."

Prosecutor Islam insisted the trial is being conducted transparently and pledged that law-enforcement agencies will "put a firm stop" to any attempt to disrupt order.