The International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) has found former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guilty of serious crimes against humanity. A three-judge tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in this case. The three-judge tribunal headed by Justice Ghulam Murtaza delivered its verdict in six volumes of 400 pages.
The tribunal, headed by Justice Murtaza, also includes Justice Mohammad Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Justice Mohammad Mohitul Haq Inam Chaudhary. The tribunal said it had considered a number of reports from human rights organizations and other organizations. He has also given a detailed description of the atrocities committed. Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity.
The tribunal also said in its decision that a large number of protesters were killed. Sheikh Hasina ordered helicopter bombing of peaceful protesting students. The tribunal also said that Awami League workers allegedly took to the streets and carried out pre-planned attacks with the full knowledge of the party leadership.
Bangladesh is on fire before the court verdict on Sheikh Hasina
The tribunal is also listening to several phone conversations between Sheikh Hasina and her minister Hasanul Haq Inu to establish the role of the Awami League top leadership in the violence. It is exposing how Sheikh Hasina attempted to portray the student protests as terrorist activities. The tribunal said most of the deaths were caused by bullets fired from army guns loaded with lethal metal pellets commonly used by Bangladeshi security forces. Under Sheikh Hasina’s government, the army, police and RAB carried out extrajudicial killings. Sheikh Hasina and other accused had conspired together.
The tribunal also said that former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chaudhry Abdullah Al Mamun are also accused in the case. The tribunal concluded that all three committed crimes against humanity. Direct orders issued by the political leadership led to serious human rights violations against protesters and other civilians.
According to the tribunal, approximately 1,400 people were killed and more than 11,000 were detained and arrested. The tribunal is also detailing the evidence against Sheikh Hasina. The entire case is being reviewed and recorded before the decision. Therefore, the process may be lengthy and a decision may take time. This tribunal is international in name only; It has no international authority or recognition.
Police in the capital Dhaka have been ordered to open fire on protesters in case of violent protests. In a video message sent to her supporters ahead of the verdict, Sheikh Hasina denied the allegations against her and said, “Let the verdict be pronounced; I don’t care.”
