The interim government-appointed Chief Prosecutor, Tajul Islam, in his opening assertion, described Hasina because the “nucleus of all crimes” and referred to as for the utmost penalty.
The prosecution additionally named Hasina’s two prime aides — former dwelling minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector Common of Police Chowdhury Abdullaah Al Mamun — because the co-accused within the case.
The ICT commenced the proceedings in opposition to Hasina on a number of costs, with the foremost one being killings and tortures to tame final yr’s College students Towards Discrimination (SAD)-led violent avenue marketing campaign that ultimately toppled her Awami League authorities on August 5, 2024.
Whereas Hasina and Kamal are being tried in absentia, Mamun is in custody and has agreed to be the “approver” within the case.
The prosecution mentioned it might current testimonies from people injured throughout the protests and eyewitnesses to the violence within the coming days.Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 final yr amid escalating unrest and is presently residing in India.Former dwelling minister Kamal reportedly too later took refuge within the neighbouring nation.
The interim authorities led by Muhammad Yunus has sought Hasina’s extradition, however India has but to answer the request.
The ICT, initially established to prosecute struggle crimes from Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation Struggle, indicted Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun on July 10.
Final month, Hasina was additionally sentenced to 6 months in jail in absentia in a contempt of courtroom case by the ICT.
It marked the primary time that the 77-year-old Awami League chief has been sentenced in any case since she left workplace in August final yr.
In accordance with a UN rights workplace report, as much as 1,400 folks have been killed between July 15 and August 15 final yr as Hasina’s authorities ordered a safety crackdown on protesters.
