Verdict reading begins in Hasina crimes against humanity case, announcement at 1:30 pm
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has begun reading out the verdict against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun in a case over crimes against humanity during the July-August 2024 mass killings.
The three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, started reading the verdict around 12:30 pm today Monday (17 November). The other two members are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haq Enam Chowdhury.
Hasina and Kamal are absconding, reportedly in India, while Mamun, who has been in jail for nearly a year, appeared as a state witness in the tribunal. The prosecution sought maximum punishment for Hasina and Kamal based on Mamun's testimony.
Earlier, Mamun was brought to the tribunal from prison in a prison van under tight security at 9:10 am.
The full verdict announcement is scheduled for 1:30 pm and will be broadcast live. The case involves five charges, including incitement to murder over 1,400 people, superior command responsibility and joint criminal enterprise during the violent suppression of the student-led uprising that toppled Hasina's government on 5 August 2024.
