Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has scheduled July 10 to decide whether to frame charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun for alleged crimes against humanity during the July-August 2024 uprising, according to The Daily Star. The charges, filed on June 1, include five counts of murder, attempted murder, torture, and use of lethal weapons, stemming from a violent crackdown that killed over 1,400 people, per a UN rights office report.

The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, will review defense petitions claiming the charges are baseless. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam alleges Hasina orchestrated a “systematic attack” on student-led protests, using helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons, citing specific cases like the murder of student Abu Sayeed in Rangpur. Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024, after her 15-year Awami League regime collapsed, faces trial in absentia, with her defense counsel requesting time to prepare.

Last week, on July 2, the ICT sentenced Hasina to six months in prison for contempt of court over a leaked audio where she allegedly claimed a “license to kill 227 people,” a remark deemed to undermine judicial authority. This marks her first conviction since her ouster. The tribunal, originally established by Hasina in 2010 to prosecute 1971 war crimes, has faced criticism for lacking international standards, with Human Rights Watch urging amendments to ensure fair trials.

Also Read: Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Six Months in Contempt Case in Bangladesh

Separately, a Dhaka court summoned Hasina, her children Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s children, including British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, in six corruption cases involving plot allocations, per bdnews24.com. The court, under Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib, issued gazette notices, scheduling a July 20 hearing. Failure to appear will lead to trials in absentia, as the accused are believed to be in hiding.

The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, continues to pursue accountability for the 2024 violence, with arrest warrants issued for Hasina and 45 others in October 2024 and January 2025 for genocide and enforced disappearances. India, hosting Hasina, faces diplomatic pressure over her extradition, complicated by a treaty allowing refusal if charges lack good faith. Hasina’s supporters, including her son, dismiss the charges as politically motivated, while the Yunus administration insists on justice for victims.

Also Read: Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Six Months in Contempt Case in Bangladesh