Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Mohammad Tajul Islam today presented arguments in the crimes against humanity case against three, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Oct 12, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes 
Tribunal (ICT) Mohammad Tajul Islam today said that the July 2024 Mass 
Uprising had become inevitable as the Awami League (AL) government gradually 
turned into a "monster" during its 15-year rule.

Presenting arguments in the crimes against humanity case against three, 
including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Tajul outlined the background 
that led to the mass uprising.

"The Awami League government increasingly turned into a monstrous regime over 
the years," the chief prosecutor told the three-member ICT-1 bench headed by 
Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

He said the process began with the Pilkhana carnage, which crippled the 
country's defence backbone, followed by a culture of enforced disappearances 
and killings. 

Later, Tajul said, the ruling party destroyed the country's electoral system, 
abolished the caretaker government system, and institutionalised corruption 
at every level.

"The regime's ultimate goal was to suppress the people through fear and 
oppression," the chief prosecutor said, adding, "This monstrous rule finally 
unleashed a full-scale assault on our young generation in 2024."

Earlier, a total of 54 prosecution witnesses -- including the father of July 
martyr Abu Sayed, National Citizen's Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam and 
journalist Mahmudur Rahman-- testified in the case and were cross-examined by 
the defence.

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 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 read.

The tribunal issued the notices on June 16 after taking cognizance of the 
formal charges submitted on June 1.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul informed the court that Hasina and Kamal were 
absconding, citing intelligence reports suggesting 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 last.