Monday, 17 November, 2025
Security across Bangladesh has been escalated to unprecedented levels as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prepares to deliver its verdict today (Monday) in the landmark case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s July–August uprising—a case that has riveted the nation and shaken its legal and political foundations to the core.
The banned Awami League has called for a “complete shutdown” on Sunday and Monday, demanding the tribunal proceedings be halted. In response, the government has deployed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in four districts, reinforced security around the ICT complex in Dhaka, and placed all law enforcement agencies on full alert.
Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury assured that authorities were prepared “to prevent any destabilising attempt” as the country braces for one of the most politically charged rulings in its history.
Eight opposition parties—including Jamaat-e-Islami—have vowed to defy the shutdown. “The nation will not allow sabotage in favour of fascism,” Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar declared at a press briefing in Dhaka.
The Defendants and Charges
Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, will pronounce judgement against Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and then–IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Only Mamun has admitted guilt and turned state witness; Hasina and Asaduzzaman remain fugitives.
The charges are severe:
Incitement and provocation during the crackdown
Issuing instructions that led to the deaths of 1,400 civilians
Superior command responsibility
Joint criminal enterprise
The ICT is handling 45 cases related to killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other alleged crimes during July 2024. For the first time, investigators are also probing the Awami League itself as a political organisation. Alongside Hasina, dozens of ministers, senior party officials, civil servants, police officers, and more than two dozen army personnel face ICT proceedings.
With 30 pending 1971 war crimes cases paused, the ICT is now focused almost entirely on the July killings. Hasina faces three additional tribunal cases, including enforced disappearances, torture of political opponents, and mass killings at Shapla Chattar.
Monday’s verdict will determine not just the fate of the former prime minister but also whether Bangladesh can break its cycle of political impunity or slide further into a spiral of vengeance and unrest. History and law converge at the ICT today, as a nation waits for its judgement.
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Security across Bangladesh has been escalated to unprecedented levels as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prepares to deliver its verdict today (Monday) in the landmark case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s July–August uprising—a case that has riveted the nation and shaken its legal and political foundations to the core.
The banned Awami League has called for a “complete shutdown” on Sunday and Monday, demanding the tribunal proceedings be halted. In response, the government has deployed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in four districts, reinforced security around the ICT complex in Dhaka, and placed all law enforcement agencies on full alert.
Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury assured that authorities were prepared “to prevent any destabilising attempt” as the country braces for one of the most politically charged rulings in its history.
Eight opposition parties—including Jamaat-e-Islami—have vowed to defy the shutdown. “The nation will not allow sabotage in favour of fascism,” Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar declared at a press briefing in Dhaka.
The Defendants and Charges
Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, will pronounce judgement against Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and then–IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Only Mamun has admitted guilt and turned state witness; Hasina and Asaduzzaman remain fugitives.
The charges are severe:
Incitement and provocation during the crackdown
Issuing instructions that led to the deaths of 1,400 civilians
Superior command responsibility
Joint criminal enterprise
The ICT is handling 45 cases related to killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other alleged crimes during July 2024. For the first time, investigators are also probing the Awami League itself as a political organisation. Alongside Hasina, dozens of ministers, senior party officials, civil servants, police officers, and more than two dozen army personnel face ICT proceedings.
With 30 pending 1971 war crimes cases paused, the ICT is now focused almost entirely on the July killings. Hasina faces three additional tribunal cases, including enforced disappearances, torture of political opponents, and mass killings at Shapla Chattar.
Monday’s verdict will determine not just the fate of the former prime minister but also whether Bangladesh can break its cycle of political impunity or slide further into a spiral of vengeance and unrest. History and law converge at the ICT today, as a nation waits for its judgement.
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