Dhaka, July 2 (V7N) — The prosecution has completed its hearing on framing charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and one other accused in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. The International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder and comprising three members, scheduled July 7 for the defense to present arguments, following the prosecution’s submission on Tuesday.

The third accused in the case is former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who is currently imprisoned. His defense counsel, Zayed Bin Amjad, is representing him in court.

During the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam read out five formal charges filed against Sheikh Hasina and presented arguments supporting the framing of these charges. He alleged that between July 14 and August 5 last year, under Sheikh Hasina’s direction, coordinated nationwide killings, torture, and attacks were carried out targeting innocent and unarmed civilians. The scale, frequency, and geographic spread of these acts classify them as widespread and systematic crimes.

The prosecutor further claimed that police and other collaborating forces followed a chain of command to execute similar patterns of mass violence throughout the country, employing lethal weapons uniformly. He described the allegations as indicative of crimes against humanity, urging the tribunal to frame charges and bring the accused to trial accordingly.

Following the prosecution’s arguments, state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain, representing Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, requested two weeks to prepare their defense. The tribunal granted the request and fixed July 7 as the date for their arguments.

Amir Hossain, speaking to reporters after the hearing, disputed the five charges as baseless and unprecedented in Bangladesh’s history, stating, “No other prime minister has ever faced such serious international criminal charges in this country.” He expressed confidence in securing acquittals for the accused and highlighted the severity of the allegations, emphasizing the need for preparation time.

Background: On June 24, the tribunal set July 1 for the hearing on framing charges related to crimes against humanity during the July mass uprising, involving shootings and killings of students and civilians. Sheikh Hasina and others stand accused as the masterminds and planners of these atrocities.

Separate Case: Court Orders Appearance Notices for 23 Accused Including Sheikh Hasina in Plot Allocation Irregularities

In a separate development, the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib has ordered the publication of appearance notices in national newspapers for 23 accused, including Sheikh Hasina, in five cases related to irregularities in plot allocation in the Purbachal area. The court set July 20 as the deadline for submitting a compliance report.

Other accused include Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana’s daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq Rupanti, son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, former Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works Shahid Ullah Khandakar, Additional Secretary (Administration) Kazi Wasi Uddin, administrative officer Saiful Islam Sarkar, Senior Assistant Secretary Purabi Goldar, former RAJUK chairman Anisur Rahman Mia, former members Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Kabir Al Asad, Tanmoy Das, Nurul Islam, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Samsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, director Sheikh Shahinul Islam, deputy director Hafizur Rahman, Habibur Rahman, former State Minister Sharif Ahmed, and former private secretary to the Prime Minister Salauddin.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam stated that among the six cases, one has received court directives but has not yet been gazetted, while the other five have 23 absconding accused. The ACC requested the court to publish appearance notices through official gazettes, to which the court instructed publication through the BG Press.

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