The International Crimes Tribunal has charged ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with crimes against humanity. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun face the same serious accusations. The charges stem from deadly violence during last year's July and August student uprising. Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder led the three-judge panel that rejected attempts to throw out the case. The formal trial against Sheikh Hasina has officially started for the first time.
Prosecutors appeared in court while state lawyers defended the accused politicians. Sheikh Hasina and Kamal remain fugitives after ignoring court orders to surrender. The tribunal published notices in newspapers giving them seven days to turn themselves in. They failed to show up and missed their chance to defend themselves directly. Former police boss Mamun was already behind bars when his lawyer spoke for him.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam pushed for the trial to begin immediately. Defense lawyers tried to get their clients off the hook by asking judges to drop all charges. The tribunal heard arguments from both sides before making their final decision. Five separate charges of crimes against humanity were filed against each defendant. Bangladesh Television broadcast the court proceedings live across the country.
Prosecutors appeared in court while state lawyers defended the accused politicians. Sheikh Hasina and Kamal remain fugitives after ignoring court orders to surrender. The tribunal published notices in newspapers giving them seven days to turn themselves in. They failed to show up and missed their chance to defend themselves directly. Former police boss Mamun was already behind bars when his lawyer spoke for him.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam pushed for the trial to begin immediately. Defense lawyers tried to get their clients off the hook by asking judges to drop all charges. The tribunal heard arguments from both sides before making their final decision. Five separate charges of crimes against humanity were filed against each defendant. Bangladesh Television broadcast the court proceedings live across the country.
