The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising.
Co-accused
- Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (former home minister) - Death sentence
- Abdullah Al-Mamun (former IGP) - 5 years imprisonment (cooperated)
Casualties: 835 killed
Charges: Incitement, ordering lethal force, failure to prevent killings
Tribunal: Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar (chairman) and 2 others
Significance: First death sentence to the former head of government by the Bangladesh ICT
What happened
Students began protesting on July 1, 2024, demanding quota reform in government jobs (reduction from 56% to 5%). Instead of dialogue, the government responded with systematic violence over 36 days across 50 districts.
The charges
Charge 1
- Life Imprisonment: Incitement and failure to prevent mass killings
- Called protesters "Razakars" (collaborators) on July 14, 2024
- Ordered attacks: "Hang them like Razakars have been hanged"
- Failed to stop month-long atrocities
Charge 2
- Death Penalty: Ordering deployment of lethal force
- Directed use of drones, helicopters, and military weapons
- Specific killings at Chankarpool and Ashulia
- Systematic targeting of unarmed civilians
Charge 3:
-Killing six protesters at Chankarpool
-Victims: Shahadat Khan, Mahabubur Rahman, Md. Yakub, Md Rakib, Muhammad Ismail, and one unidentified
-Killed by police constables under direct orders and supervision
-Part of a systematic attack on protesters marching to Dhaka
Key evidence
Recorded phone conversations where Hasina:
- Told Dhaka University Vice Chancellor to "hang the protesters"
- Instructed the city mayor to deploy helicopters and lethal weapons
- Ordered drones to locate and target protesters
Additional evidence
- Video footage of helicopter attacks
- Testimony from victims and medical professionals
- UN Human Rights report documenting "unprecedented brutality"
- Core committee meetings at the home minister's residence, coordinating violence
The atrocities
- 1,400 protesters killed by police, RAB, BGB, and armed party activists
- 25,000 injured, many permanently disabled
- Weapons: SMG, LMG, rifles, shotguns, helicopters, drones
Systematic cruelty
- Ambulances blocked from transporting injured
- Hospitals ordered not to admit protesters
- Police attacked wounded in hospitals
- Bodies burned to destroy evidence
- Doctors threatened for treating victims
Tribunal process
- Three-member bench delivered judgment
- Proceedings broadcast live on Bangladesh Television
- Large screens installed across Dhaka for public viewing
- Hasina and Kamal tried in absentia (both absconded)
Legal findings
The tribunal found guilt under the International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973:
- Direct orders and incitement to kill protesters
- Joint criminal enterprise between all three accused
- Command responsibility- failure to prevent or punish perpetrators
- Widespread and systematic attack on civilian population
International recognition
UN Human Rights Office documented:
- Coordinated effort using entire security apparatus
- Political leadership had direct knowledge and gave orders
- Extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detention, torture
- Obstruction of medical care
Additional conviction
Hasina was separately convicted of contempt of court (6 months) for:
- Making hate speeches after fleeing Bangladesh
- Threatening to kill 226 people
- Ordering the destruction of rivals' homes
Current status
- Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024
- Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal remains absconded
- Abdullah Al-Mamun cooperated and awaits sentencing
- Both death sentences were issued in absentia
