Dhaka, July 1, 2025: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has accepted charges comprising 8,747 pages against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, marking a historic moment as formal legal proceedings begin against her for alleged crimes against humanity.
The indictment identifies Hasina as the chief instigator behind systematic acts of crackdown during the July–August 2024 unrest, commonly referred to as the "July Revolution.”
The case includes five major charges, including directives for indiscriminate killings, incitement, and provocation.
Alongside Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun have also been named as co-accused. Of the three, only Abdullah Al-Mamun is currently in behind the bar.
The official charge sheet, 135 pages in summary, references detailed evidence including audio and video recordings, documents, and digital communications. A total of 81 witnesses have been listed to testify in support of the prosecution’s claims.
Proceedings began on Sunday at 12:15 PM, with the initial hearing broadcast live by state-run television BTV — underscoring the national significance of the case. The tribunal formally received the charges weeks after an investigation team submitted its final report on May 12.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam stated that the investigation found Sheikh Hasina responsible for ordering the brutal crackdown during the 2024 protests, which left over 1,400 people dead.
He emphasized that this trial is not about retribution for the past, but a commitment to ensuring that crimes against humanity have no place in Bangladesh’s future.
