The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to six months in prison for contempt of court. The tribunal, consisting of three members and presided over by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued the sentence following a case related to statements made by Sheikh Hasina and Awami League’s Shakil Alam Bulbul regarding the July mass uprising. A Y Moshiuzzaman, a senior lawyer, was appointed amicus curiae to assist with the hearing.
Sheikh Hasina is implicated in accusations of masterminding severe crimes during the 2024 anti-government protests, which included crimes against humanity and mass murder. An audio clip, authenticated by the CID, purportedly includes a statement from her stating, “There are 227 cases against me, so I have a license to kill 227 people.” The prosecution stated that Sheikh Hasina did not respond to the tribunal’s summons. The Awami League criticized a parallel ‘mock trial’ conducted by groups deemed hostile to the nation. Following Sheikh Hasina’s departure to India on August 5th, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed the role of head of the interim government.