Sheikh Hasina's Crimes Against Humanity Trial Verdict Date Set for November 17

The verdict in the case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others for crimes against humanity, including mass killings during the July uprising, will be delivered on November 17. The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1), led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, fixed this date today, Thursday. The other two members are Justice Md Shafiqul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

The tribunal concluded final arguments on October 23 and today announced the verdict date after 103 days of hearings.

Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who later became an approver, have also been accused of committing crimes during the July Uprising last year.

Security has been significantly bolstered around the tribunal premises. From morning, police will be joined by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Ansar forces. Multi-layered security arrangements will be in place at the tribunal area. The Supreme Court has also sent a letter requesting army deployment. Entry of outsiders to the National Eidgah Maidan has been prohibited.

Prosecution sources indicate the ruling could be delivered any day next week, as decided by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar's bench.

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

Prosecutors say the evidence is sufficient 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 are creating nationwide unrest around the verdict date. Banned Awami League activists are attempting to foment chaos. Law enforcement is monitoring their destructive activities. On July 10, the tribunal ordered the 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.