Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -File Photo

 
DHAKA, Oct 22, 2025 (BSS) - The prosecution is scheduled to submit its 
rebuttal in a case against three persons, including ousted Prime Minister 
Sheikh Hasina, over their alleged crimes against humanity committed during 
the July Mass Uprising.
 
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam is likely to take part in the hearing, 
followed by Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman.
 
"The state-appointed counsel for fugitives Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan 
Kamal and counsel for another accused turned approver Chowdhury Abdullah Al-
Mamun, have concluded their arguments today. We will submit our rebuttal 
tomorrow. The chief prosecutor and the attorney general will place the 
rebuttal," said prosecutor Mizanul Islam.
 
Earlier, Advocate Amir Hossain, the state-appointed counsel for fugitive 
Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Advocate 
Jaiad Bin Amjad, counsel for Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, concluded placing 
their arguments at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1.

At the end of the defence arguments, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, chairman 
of the three-member panel of the tribunal, adjourned the hearing till 
tomorrow.
 
The defence placed arguments for three consecutive days, while the 
prosecution argued for five days, presenting different documentaries made on 
the July Mass Uprising, audio records of the telephonic conversations between 
Sheikh Hasina and different persons, among other things, before the court.
 
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam in his arguments, also referred to the 
testimonies of different prosecution witnesses and placed links between the 
crimes against humanity committed to suppress the Mass Uprising in a 
'Systematic Way'.
 
Earlier, a total of 54 Prosecution witnesses-- including the father of July 
Martyr Abu Sayed, National Citizens' Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, and 
journalist Mahmudur Rahman-- testified in the case and were cross-examined by 
the defence counsel.

Advocate Amir Hossain, the state-appointed counsel for fugitives Sheikh 
Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, cross-examined the 
witnesses. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, 
another accused in the case, had earlier pleaded guilty and became an 
approver. 
 
On June 17, ICT-1 published notices in two national dailies asking Sheikh 
Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to surrender before the court by June 24.

"As per Rule 31 of the International Crimes (Tribunal-1) Rules of Procedure, 
2010 (Amendment 2025), they are ordered to surrender before this tribunal on 
June 24, 2025. Otherwise, the trial will proceed in absentia under Section 
10A of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973," the notice said.
 
The tribunal issued the notices on June 16 after taking cognizance of the 
formal-charge submitted on June 1.
 
Chief Prosecutor Tajul informed the court that Hasina and Kamal were 
absconding, citing intelligence reports suggesting that they were in India. 
The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity and mass 
killings against Hasina, Kamal and Abdullah Al-Mamun, based on a probe report 
filed by the ICT investigation agency on May 12. 
 
The tribunal framed the charges against the trio on July 10.