The verdict in the historic war crimes case related to the July 2024 genocide, involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others, is scheduled to be announced on Monday, November 17. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has announced that the ruling will be broadcast live globally. In addition, large screens will be set up in key locations across Dhaka under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, allowing the public to follow the proceedings.
According to sources from the ICT and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the verdict will be watched closely not only by the Bangladeshi public but also by audiences around the world, highlighting the significance of the case as a precedent in the fight against crimes against humanity.
The ICT has scheduled the verdict after setting the date on November 13. The three-member bench of Tribunal-1 is chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.
The prosecution team includes Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, along with Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi M.H. Tamim, and Faruq Ahmad, among others. On October 23, Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman presented the closing arguments for the prosecution, citing international examples of heads of state and prominent leaders being held accountable for crimes against humanity. He demanded the maximum penalty for Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The defense and state-appointed lawyers responded, after which the tribunal announced the verdict date.
Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun is also named in the case but has testified as a state witness. The prosecution left it to the tribunal to decide his fate, while his defense lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad requested acquittal.
A total of 84 witnesses were called in the case, with 54 having already testified. Witness hearings began on August 3, 2025, with the first testimony depicting the atrocities of July–August 2024 presented by Khokon Chandra Barman. The testimony phase concluded on October 8, followed by final arguments from both the prosecution and the defense.
The prosecution has brought five charges of crimes against humanity against the three accused, including incitement, use of deadly weapons, the killing of Abu Saeed, the Chankharpul killings, and the burning of bodies in Ashulia. The formal charge spans 8,747 pages, including 2,018 pages of source documents, 4,005 pages of seized items and documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages detailing lists of martyrs. The tribunal’s investigative agency submitted its report to the Chief Prosecutor on May 12, 2025.
Monday’s verdict marks the first ruling in the July 2024 genocide case and is expected to draw nationwide attention as well as global scrutiny.
