What Charges Sheikh Hasina And Her Two Aides Are Facing?

<p>As the International Crimes Tribunal prepares to deliver its verdict on Monday, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun stand accused in five cases linked to the July-August 2024 unrest surrounding the anti-discrimination student movement.</p>
<p>The formal charge sheets span 8,747 pages, detailing evidence, references and a full list of victims. Here is a breakdown of the allegations.</p>
<h2><strong>Provocative Speech, Coordinated Attacks and Failure to Act</strong></h2>
<p>Prosecutors allege that Sheikh Hasina made inflammatory remarks during a 14 July 2024 press conference at Ganabhaban.</p>
<p>What followed, they say, was a series of coordinated assaults carried out by law enforcement and ruling-party activists against students and civilians.</p>
<p>The tribunal is examining whether Hasina, Kamal and Mamun instigated, supported or permitted these attacks, and whether they failed to prevent or punish the resulting murder, attempted murder and torture.</p>
<h2><strong>Directing the Use of Lethal Force, Helicopters and Drones</strong></h2>
<p>Hasina is accused of ordering the deployment of helicopters, drones and live ammunition to suppress the protests.</p>
<p>According to prosecutors, Kamal and Mamun relayed and implemented these directives through their command structures.</p>
<p>The case frames these actions as crimes against humanity involving orders, abetment and conspiracy.</p>
<h2><strong>Killing of Abu Sayeed in Rangpur</strong></h2>
<p>One charge centres on the 16 July 2024 shooting of Abu Sayeed in front of Begum Rokeya University.</p>
<p>The prosecution claims the killing was carried out under instructions from senior political and security leadership, making the three accused responsible for ordering, aiding and conspiring in the attack.</p>
<h2><strong>Killing of Six Students in Chankharpul</strong></h2>
<p>Hasina, Kamal and Mamun also face charges over the 5 August 2024 deaths of six students in Dhaka&rsquo;s Chankharpul area.</p>
<p>Prosecutors argue that the operation in which the students were shot occurred under their authority, making them liable for the outcome.</p>
<h2><strong>Killing and Burning of Six Men in Ashulia</strong></h2>
<p>Later on the same day, six men were shot in Ashulia. Five bodies were burned, while the sixth victim, allegedly still alive, was also burned.</p>
<p>The prosecution says the killings and subsequent burning took place with the knowledge, involvement and approval of the accused.</p>
<h2><strong>Prosecution vs. Defence Arguments</strong></h2>
<p>Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam maintains the state&rsquo;s evidence is &ldquo;as strong as the Himalayas&rdquo; and proves every charge beyond doubt.</p>
<p>Defence counsel Md Amir Hossain dismisses the allegations as &ldquo;false and fabricated&rdquo;, arguing there is no documentary proof that Hasina ordered killings and asserting that a &ldquo;separate group&rdquo; was responsible for the violence that destabilised the country.</p>