State-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain, who represented former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, has said he feels deep distress over the death sentences handed down to them in the case concerning crimes against humanity committed during the anti-discrimination student movement in July–August 2024.
Speaking to journalists on Monday at the premises of the International Crimes Tribunal following the delivery of the verdict, Amir Hossain expressed his reaction.
He said: “The verdict against my clients (Hasina and Kamal) could have been different. But it was not. It has gone against me. That is why I am distressed—because I have no opportunity to appeal in this case on their behalf, unless and until they surrender or are arrested.”
Earlier, at 12:30pm, the three-member Tribunal-1, led by the tribunal’s chair, took their seats. After hearing the other two cases listed on the cause list, Tribunal-1 began reading the verdict of this case.
Exactly two minutes later, all those involved in the crimes against humanity case were thanked. From 12:34pm, judicial panel member Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury began reading the first section of the 453-page verdict.
After he finished, Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood continued reading. Finally, Tribunal-1 Chair Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder read out the operative part of the verdict.
After the two hours and ten minutes of summary judgment, the tribunal first announced the verdict against Sheikh Hasina at 2:54pm. She was sentenced to life imprisonment for Formal Charge 1—incitement, instructions regarding the use of lethal weapons, drones, and helicopters, and for her role in the killing of Abu Sayed.
Additionally, she was sentenced to death under Formal Charge 2 for the killing of six people in Chankharpul and the burning of six bodies in Ashulia.
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death under Formal Charge 2 for the killings in Chankharpul and the burning of bodies in Ashulia. Mamun, who testified as a prosecution witness, received a five-year prison sentence.
He, too, was found guilty of the same offences, but Tribunal-1 imposed a lenient sentence as he volunteered truthful testimony.
