The trial against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising has officially commenced.
Opening statements and the first witness testimony began today (Sunday) at 11:30 AM, with the International Crimes Tribunal-1 allowing the proceedings to be broadcast live.
Sheikh Hasina, along with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, stands accused in the case. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has admitted to his role in the crimes and is now serving as an approver—providing testimony in exchange for leniency.
The first charge stems from a press conference held by Sheikh Hasina at the Ganabhaban on July 14 last year, where she allegedly made inciting remarks, referring to student protesters as "children and grandchildren of collaborators (razakars)." Following these comments, security forces and armed ruling party activists allegedly launched systematic attacks on unarmed protesters, resulting in the deaths of around 1,500 individuals and injuring approximately 25,000.
The second charge alleges that Hasina ordered the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons to suppress demonstrators. These orders, carried out by then Home Minister Asaduzzaman and IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, were reportedly documented in separate audio recordings of Hasina’s conversations with Dhaka University’s former Vice Chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal and former Dhaka South City Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. The charge holds the trio responsible under the doctrine of superior responsibility.
The third charge accuses the defendants of involvement in the fatal shooting of Abu Sayeed, a student at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.
The fourth charge concerns the shooting deaths of six unarmed protesters in the Chankharpul area of Dhaka.
The fifth and final charge alleges that Hasina and her co-accused were responsible for burning six unarmed individuals to death in Ashulia.
This is the fourth case filed against Sheikh Hasina before the tribunal. On July 2, she was sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court—marking the first conviction against her since the fall of her government.
Hasina’s government was ousted on August 5 last year amid a mass student uprising.
Another crimes against humanity case—linked to incidents of abduction, killing, and torture during the Awami League’s tenure—names Hasina and 10 others. The investigation report for that case is scheduled to be submitted on August 24.
Additionally, Sheikh Hasina has been named in a separate case involving the alleged killings and torture of Hefazat-e-Islam members during operations at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar and other regions. The investigation report in that case is due on August 12.
