The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to six months in prison for contempt of court. The ruling was delivered by a three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder. The contempt case stemmed from statements made by Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul concerning the July mass uprising incident. Senior lawyer A Y Moshiuzzaman was appointed as amicus curiae by the ICT for the hearing. The Chief Prosecutor filed the contempt of court complaint on April 30th.
Sheikh Hasina faces accusations of orchestrating inhumane acts during the 2024 movement to overthrow the government, including crimes against humanity and murder. An alleged audio clip, later verified by a police forensic examination, quoted Sheikh Hasina saying, “There are 227 cases against me, so I have a license to kill 227 people.” The prosecution stated that Sheikh Hasina neither appeared in person nor provided an explanation through a lawyer after being notified. Following the verdict, the Awami League released a statement, condemning a mock trial staged by anti-national forces.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership of the interim government after Sheikh Hasina left for India on August 5th.
