Trial against Sheikh Hasina: Opening statements begin, proceedings broadcast live

Opening statements and the first witness testimony have begun in the trial against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina concerning crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July uprising.

With permission from International Crimes Tribunal-1, the proceedings are being broadcast live from 11:30 am today, Sunday.

Alongside Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is also named as an accused in the case.

Meanwhile, former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has admitted responsibility for crimes against humanity and has agreed to act as an 'approver' (an accused who confesses to the charges and provides a truthful account of events; commonly referred to as a state witness) in the case.

A total of five charges have been brought against Sheikh Hasina and her co-accused in this case.

The first charge states that, during a press conference held at the Ganabhaban on 14 July last year, Sheikh Hasina made an inciting statement by referring to protesting students as “children and grandchildren of Razakars.”

Following this, under the instigation, assistance, and involvement of then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, and other senior members of the government, members of law enforcement agencies and armed Awami League militants launched a widespread and systematic attack on unarmed, peaceful students and civilians. The assault reportedly resulted in the deaths of 1,500 people and injuries to nearly 25,000.

The second charge alleges that Sheikh Hasina ordered the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons to eliminate the protesters. The then home minister and IGP carried out these orders through their respective law enforcement forces.

On 14 July last year, Sheikh Hasina reportedly spoke to the then vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, ASM Maksud Kamal, and on 18 July to the former mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Fazle Noor Taposh.

Separate audio recordings of these conversations reveal that she had instructed the use of deadly weapons by law enforcement and associated forces.

These orders were relayed to all relevant forces through the home minister and the IGP. The orders were also spread through the Awami League, its affiliated organisations, and the 14-party alliance. Crimes against humanity were allegedly committed based on those orders. They (Hasina, Asaduzzaman, and Mamun) have been charged under the principle of superior responsibility for that.

The third charge concerns the brutal killing of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, who was shot dead. Sheikh Hasina, along with Asaduzzaman and Mamun, is accused in this killing.

The fourth charge relates to the killing of six unarmed protesters in the capital’s Chankharpul area. Hasina and the two others are again named as accused.

The fifth charge accuses Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman, and Mamun of involvement in the killing of six unarmed civilians and burning them in Ashulia.

So far, four separate cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina in the tribunal. On 2 July, the tribunal sentenced her to six months’ simple imprisonment in a contempt of court case. The Hasina-led Awami League government was ousted on 5 August last year following a student-led uprising. This is the first case since her removal from power in which she has been sentenced to prison.

Another case has been filed against Sheikh Hasina and 10 others for crimes against humanity in connection with enforced disappearances, killings, and torture during the Awami League’s rule. The tribunal has set 24 August for submission of the investigation report in this case.

Additionally, Sheikh Hasina has been named as an accused in another case involving the killing and torture of leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam in Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar and other areas across the country. The investigation report in this case is due on 12 August.