Bangladesh beefs up security ahead of tribunal verdict on Hasina on November 17

Dhaka, November 16

Security agencies are on high alert in Bangladesh ahead of a special tribunal's verdict in a case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the anti-government protests last year.

"The law enforcement agencies had already completed their necessary preparations” to prevent unpleasant events across the country, Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was quoted as saying by the state-run BSS news agency.

Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) will deliver the verdict against 78-year-old Hasina on Monday. Hasina, her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and then inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were accused of committing crimes under five counts, with the first one alleging the defendants of murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhumane acts.

They were tried in the tribunal. The ex-premier and Kamal were tried in absentia, with the court declaring them fugitives. Mamun faced the trial in person but emerged as an approver or state witness.

According to a UN rights office report, up to 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 last year (dubbed as the July Uprising) as Hasina's government ordered a security crackdown on protesters.

Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has demanded the death penalty for Hasina, alleging that she was the "mastermind and principal architect" behind the crimes against humanity committed during the mass protests last year. Hasina's supporters say the charges against her are politically motivated.

The tribunal on October 23 concluded the hearing on the case after over 28 working days, when 54 witnesses testified before the court describing how efforts were made to tame last year's student-led movement called July Uprising that toppled Hasina's now disbanded Awami League government on August 5, 2024.