Dhaka, Nov 18 (V7N) — The copies of the death sentence verdicts for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both currently absconding in India, will not be sent to the relevant government departments today, the tribunal administration has confirmed. Officials said the process has been delayed due to the illness of the chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1).

The verdict copies were scheduled to be sent to the Home Ministry and the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. Upon receiving the certified verdict, the ministries are expected to initiate the procedure to issue Interpol arrest warrants and begin diplomatic steps to have the two convicts returned from India.

A copy of the verdict was also supposed to be delivered to the Inspector General of Prisons at the Central Jail and to former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who was sentenced to five years in the same case for his role as a witness.

Verdict in the July Mass Uprising Case

On Monday, the ICT-1 delivered its landmark verdict in the case related to crimes against humanity committed during the July student uprising. The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar, issued the death penalty to:

  • Sheikh Hasina — convicted on two separate charges

  • Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal — convicted on one charge

Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the only accused currently in custody, received a five-year prison sentence. The tribunal noted that although Mamun participated in the crimes, he provided full disclosure during the investigation, which influenced the lighter sentence.

Five Charges Against the Accused

The prosecution formally submitted charges on June 1, bringing five allegations against the trio:

  1. Delivering a provocative speech at Ganabhaban on July 14 last year

  2. Order to use helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons against protesters

  3. Shooting and killing BRUR student Abu Sayeed in Rangpur

  4. Killing six protesters in Chankharpul, Dhaka

  5. Burning six people to death in Ashulia

The tribunal framed formal charges on July 10, the same day former IGP Mamun admitted involvement in the crimes and applied to testify.

Accused Still Absconding

Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan have been absconding since the unrest. Sheikh Hasina fled to India by helicopter on August 5, 2024, and has been residing in Delhi since then. The delay in transmitting the verdict copies now postpones the procedure to bring the two convicts back to face the sentence.

The tribunal administration has not yet announced when the verdict documents will be dispatched once the chairman resumes duties.

END/SMA/AJ