Tribunal Trials Televised: First Formal Charges Filed for July Genocide
The formal trial proceedings concerning crimes against humanity committed during the anti-discrimination student movement have officially begun. On Saturday, June 1, for the first time in the nation’s history, these tribunal proceedings were streamed live via the internet. The session, conducted by the International Crimes Tribunal, was broadcast through Bangladesh Television (BTV) and further disseminated via private television networks' social media platforms and YouTube channels, as well as official government websites.
During the hearing, it was announced that digital documents—including videos and mobile call recordings—were submitted to the court alongside forensic evidence reports.
In a landmark development, formal charges were submitted against the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with alleged crimes against humanity, including instigation, incitement, and directives to commit mass killings during the July uprising. Formal accusations were also filed against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
Prior to this, a separate set of charges had been filed against Sheikh Hasina in connection with the killing of six individuals in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area. With this, two formal cases have now been submitted against the former premier.
Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tazul Islam, stated, “We have found evidence of five charges against Sheikh Hasina, including orders to commit indiscriminate killings, incitement, and provocation.” He confirmed that similar charges have been substantiated against Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
Earlier, on February 18, the tribunal had directed that the investigation into Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in the July–August genocide be completed by April 20. This directive was issued by a three-member panel of the tribunal led by its chairman, Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder.
According to procedural rules, the tribunal’s investigative agency first submits its findings to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office. After reviewing the investigation report, the Chief Prosecutor formulates the formal charges and files them before the tribunal. In line with this process, the charges were submitted today, and a hearing will follow to determine whether the charges will be taken into cognizance. Once accepted, a formal indictment hearing will proceed.
It is worth noting that on December 17 of last year, the tribunal ordered that investigations into two separate cases related to the July–August genocide, involving Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 44 others, be concluded within two months.
