Arguments in the case filed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others on charges of crimes against humanity will begin at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka tomorrow.

According to ICT sources, once the arguments conclude, the case will be ready for judgment.

A three-member bench of the ICT-1, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, fixed the date on Wednesday after hearing the deposition of the last prosecution witness and Investigation Officer Md Alamgir.

Of the 54 prosecution witnesses, several martyred family members, National Citizen’s Party Convener Nahid Islam, and Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman testified before the tribunal.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, along with Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi M H Tamim, represented the state. State-appointed lawyer Advocate Amir Hossain defended fugitive accused Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Advocate Zayed Bin Amjad appeared for former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who gave a confessional statement and became a state approver.

The tribunal framed charges on July 10 over alleged crimes committed during the July–August uprising last year.

Two other cases remain pending against Sheikh Hasina for alleged killings, enforced disappearances, and a massacre at a Hefajat Islam rally in Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar.

Following the fall of Hasina’s government on August 5 last year, two separate tribunals have been trying allegations of crimes against humanity against her, several former ministers, and senior officials.

MN/