July Genocide: Trial of Sheikh Hasina-Kamal-Mamun begins

The tribunal has ordered the framing of charges against three people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case of crimes against humanity committed in July-August. The other two are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun. The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued this order on Thursday (July 10) afternoon, rejecting the defendants’ pleas to be discharged from the case. With this, the formal trial against the three defendants began. The International Crimes Tribunal-1 set the date for the order after the hearing on July 7. On that day, the state-appointed lawyer on behalf of Sheikh Hasina and Kamal claimed innocence and filed a petition for their discharge from the case. And even though there was a legal opportunity, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun did not make any application or hearing seeking immediate discharge from the case. On July 1, the prosecution filed a request to start the trial of Sheikh Hasina and three others. On May 12, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted a report to the prosecution against these three. Then, on June 1, the prosecution filed a formal complaint against Sheikh Hasina, Kamal and Mamun. After the hearing, the tribunal took cognizance of the complaint. These three have been charged under the sections of incitement, superior command responsibility and joint criminal enterprise for ordering the killing of 1,400 people in the suppression of the July-August movement. In support of this, the prosecution has submitted Sheikh Hasina’s audio and testimony regarding ordering the use of deadly weapons on the protesters.