‘Formal charges’ submitted against Sheikh Hasina at ICT

The prosecution is submitting formal charges against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising.

First time, the tribunal is telecasting live trial procedures.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam submitted the complaint to the tribunal. Bangladesh Television (BTV) is broadcasting the proceedings live.

The other two accused are former home affairs minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

On May 12, the Investigation Agency of the tribunal submitted its probe report against the deposed prime minister, bringing five allegations of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

While briefing on the probe report at a press conference on that day, the chief prosecutor told the media that a series of crimes against humanity were committed across the country including killings and injuries caused by gunfire and inhumane act of burning bodies. “After a thorough investigation into these allegations, a report has been submitted, identifying Sheikh Hasina as the mastermind and superior commander who ordered these actions,” he said.

The former prime minister is already facing two other cases filed with the ICT- one over alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her 15.5-year-long rule and the other over killings during the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally in city’s Shapla Chattar.

Citing the probe report, Tajul said Hasina is directly responsible for ordering all state forces, her party, and its associated bodies to carry out actions that led to mass killings, injuries, targeted violence against women and children, burning of bodies, and refusal of treatment to the wounded.