Bangladesh: The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has formally indicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her top aides over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July 2024 student protests.
The tribunal charged Hasina, ex-Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal with murder, torture, attempted murder, and use of excessive force. This marks the first case at the ICT involving atrocities related to the 2024 uprising.
Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun made a surprise move in court by pleading guilty and requesting to testify for the prosecution.
His application to become an approver—someone who confesses and agrees to testify in exchange for leniency—was accepted.
However, the tribunal retains the authority to treat him as an accused again if his statement fails to meet legal standards.
Security around the tribunal was heightened during the hearing, with Mamun appearing somber as the charges were read out.
The prosecution maintains that the accused systematically orchestrated crimes that qualify as crimes against humanity under the 1973 Act.
Justice Md Mohitul Hoque Anam Chawdhury, following the direction of tribunal chair Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, read out the charges.
According to prosecutors, the crimes stemmed from Hasina’s press briefing on July 14, 2024, in which she labeled demonstrators as descendants of wartime collaborators.
Prosecutors claim these comments triggered a violent crackdown led by police and ruling party operatives.
The charges allege that following Hasina’s directive, drones and helicopters were deployed to identify protest sites, leading to nationwide coordinated attacks. Over 1,500 were reportedly killed, and around 25,000 injured, with many suffering permanent disabilities. Medical care was allegedly denied, and post-mortem reports tampered with. In Rangpur, the post-mortem report of slain student Abu Sayed was altered multiple times under pressure.
In Dhaka’s Chankharpul and Ashulia, at least 12 protesters were reportedly shot and burned, one allegedly while still alive. These acts, the tribunal stated, were carried out with the knowledge and involvement of all three accused under principles of superior command responsibility and complicity.
Hasina fled to India in August 2024, while Asaduzzaman remains on the run. The tribunal has scheduled August 3 and 4 for opening statements and witness depositions.
