The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) today (June 24) set July 1 for the indictment hearing in a crimes against humanity case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and ex-IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun over alleged atrocities committed during the July-August Mass Uprising.

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order after Hasina and Kamal failed to appear before the court despite newspaper notices summoning them.

The court said state-appointed defence counsel would represent Hasina and Kamal, and warned the trial would proceed in absentia under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act if they do not surrender.

The formal charges, accepted by the tribunal on June 1, include five counts of crimes against humanity. 

Investigators submitted the report on May 12, while the ICT published notices on June 17 asking Hasina and Kamal to surrender by June 24.

MN/