The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to announce the date for delivering its verdict in a crimes against humanity case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
The three-member judicial panel of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, will pass the order on Thursday.
The other members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
In this much-discussed case, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on five charges of crimes against humanity, while state-appointed defence lawyers pleaded for their acquittal.
The defence counsel for state witness and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun also sought his acquittal.
Relatives of victims, including the father of martyr Abu Sayed, testified in the case, along with key witnesses such as Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman.
In total, 54 witnesses testified during the trial.
On July 10, the tribunal formally indicted the accused, initiating the trial. Former IGP Al-Mamun turned state witness and provided testimony revealing details of the incidents.
The prosecution submitted an 8,747-page formal charge, which included 2,018 pages of references, 4,005 pages of seizure lists and documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages listing the victims.
A total of 81 witnesses were named in the charge sheet.
The tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution on May 12.
Besides this case, Sheikh Hasina faces two other cases before the International Crimes Tribunal—one over enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s 15 and a half years in power, and another over the 2013 killings at the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar.