Crimes against humanity trial against Hasina, Kamal enters day 2 as witness depositions continue

The witness testimony began yesterday with opening statements from Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam, who sought the highest punishment for the accused

The trial of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July-August uprising of 2024 entered the second day today (4 August) at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) with witness depositions continued.

This morning, former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who was previously an accused but has turned state witness, was brought to the tribunal to give his testimony.

The witness testimony began yesterday(3 August) with opening statements from Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam, who sought the highest punishment for the accused.

The first witness, Khokon Chandra Barmon, who was injured during the protest in Dhaka's Jatrabari on 5 August last year, described the events of the day and demanded justice.

He showed the court his facial injuries and alleged that Sheikh Hasina was the mastermind behind the July mass killing.

On 10 July, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 ordered the start of the trial proceedings against three individuals, Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, on charges related to instigating and directing violence that allegedly resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people.

Of the three accused, Hasina and Kamal are currently absconding. Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun is in custody and is testifying as a state witness on the condition of full disclosure of the events under investigation.