The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday (June 1) accepted five charges in the 2024 ‘July Genocide’ case and issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was shown arrested in the same case.

The order was issued by a three-member tribunal headed by Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder. The hearing was aired live on Bangladesh Television.

Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam submitted the charges around 12:00pm, while Additional Chief Prosecutor Mizanul Islam represented the prosecution during the hearing.

On May 12, the investigation agency submitted a report accusing Sheikh Hasina of ordering the July killings.

Earlier on February 18, the tribunal had ordered investigators to complete the probe by April 20.

The case involves alleged killings of unarmed students and civilians during the anti-discrimination student protests in July and August 2024. According to the prosecution, nearly 1,500 people were killed during the crackdown.

On December 17 last year, the tribunal also directed authorities to complete investigations in two other cases against Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 44 others.

MSK/