Sheikh Hasina’s Crimes Against Humanity Case: Verdict Date to Be Declared Today

The date for the verdict in the case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others for crimes against humanity during the July uprising will be announced today. The International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar, set this date after final arguments on October 23. The other two members are Justice Md. Shafiqul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Inam Chowdhury.

Security has been tightened around the tribunal. Army, BGB, RAB, and Ansar forces will be deployed alongside police from morning. Multi-layered security will surround the tribunal area. The Supreme Court has requested army deployment. The National Eidgah Maidan has been barred to outsiders.

Prosecution sources suggest the verdict could come any day next week, as decided by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar's bench.

This is the first case of crimes against humanity in the July mass uprising to reach verdict stage. The tribunal heard evidence of Hasina inciting the army for civil war. Testimonies from 54 witnesses—family members of the killed, injured, and doctors—revealed mass killings, brutality, enforced disappearances, and torture during the 36-day fascist crackdown from July 1 to August 5, 2024, killing 1,400 innocents and injuring 30,000–35,000.

Prosecutors say the evidence suffices for conviction in any court and seek maximum punishment for Hasina and the accused under superior command responsibility and joint criminal enterprise.

Meanwhile, Hasina and her associates fear the verdict. Banned Awami League activists are attempting to create chaos around the date. Law enforcement is monitoring their destructive activities. On July 10, the tribunal ordered trial in the first case against Hasina for inciting 1,400 killings, marking the formal start of her crimes against humanity proceedings. The 103-day hearing concluded on October 23.

Hasina faces five tribunal cases. Besides this, she was sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment for contempt on July 2. Two more cases for enforced disappearances and torture during Awami League rule are ongoing, plus one for killings at Shapla Chattar and elsewhere.

During the July movement, Hasina ordered security forces to use lethal weapons against student-public protesters. This led to 1,400 deaths in the 36-day anti-fascist uprising.