The International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh is going to pronounce its verdict on the alleged charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (17 November). Citing part of an investigation report, the judge said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had ordered the use of helicopters and lethal weapons to kill civilians protesting in the country. The report claims that the order is based on an alleged conversation between Sheikh Hasina and former South Dhaka Municipal Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazal Noor Taposh.
The ICT judge also said that the investigation team has thoroughly investigated the incidents and statements of many witnesses have been recorded. The report also indicated that the purpose of the order was to control the protests, but it did not shy away from risking the life of any citizen. ICT said that Sheikh Hasina’s crime is against humanity. At the same time, charges have also been framed against the former Home Minister of Bangladesh.
What did the judge say?
Quoting the investigation report, the judge said that Sheikh Hasina’s government got Abu Syed’s postmortem report changed four to five times. Abu Syed was killed during police firing on 16 July 2024. Her death gave further impetus to student-led protests demanding the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The judge said that the government threatened the doctor and said that there was an intelligence report against him, due to which the doctor was forced to change the postmortem report of Abu Syed.
ICT has made serious allegations against Sheikh Hasina, saying that she had ordered to kill the protesting students. In the report read by the Chief Justice of ICT, Hasina had given instructions to take violent action against the protesting students in a phone conversation with the Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University. The judge said that Hasina insulted the students of Dhaka University and this enraged the students. The judge said that Hasina had ordered action to harm the students. The court said that his statements were not only derogatory but also inciting violence.
The tribunal fixed 5 charges in its decision
The tribunal has revealed five serious allegations against Sheikh Hasina in its decision. These include planning and directing the mass killing of protesters in Dhaka, allowing the use of helicopters and drones to fire on civilian groups, involvement in the alleged murder of student leader Abu Syed, ordering the burning of bodies in Ashulia to destroy evidence, and overseeing coordinated attacks on protesters in Chankharpul.
The Bangladesh court clarified that Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister and former police chief had together given orders to take action against the protesters, so that they could be suppressed and killed. During this, lethal weapons and drones were used. Sheikh Hasina herself had also ordered to use drones to search for students.
The court said that under the first charge, Sheikh Hasina did not fulfill her responsibility to handle the situation and stop the violence. Evidence also shows that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) may also be guilty in this. The court told that after July 19, continuous meetings were held at the Home Minister’s residence, in which instructions were given to suppress the student movement. Sheikh Hasina ordered a core committee to target the protesters, while Awami League supporters actively harassed the protesters. During interrogation by the IGP, he admitted his involvement in the alleged acts.
The court heard statements of total 54 witnesses
The court heard the statements of a total of 54 witnesses and said that this number is not less. Evidence received from across the country and from different sources was examined. Besides, the report of the United Nations agency was also studied and it was found that crimes against humanity were committed on the orders of Sheikh Hasina and the Home Minister.