No Bar on Hasina's Statements, But Contempt of Court Prohibited: Chief Prosecutor

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is not legally barred from making public statements, but any remarks constituting contempt of court would violate International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) orders, according to Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam. He urged against speculation regarding potential statements from Hasina, stating, “Let’s first see whether we get any statement from her at all.”

Aminul also addressed the possibility of Hasina appealing an ICT verdict if she returned to Bangladesh. He explained that the ICT Act mandates appeals be filed within 30 days of a judgment. Any acceptance of a delayed appeal would be subject to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court's decision. This clarification comes amidst reports that Hasina might address the nation on August 5.

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Let’s first see whether we get any statement from her at all.

The ICT is set to begin enforcing financial penalties and confiscating assets from fugitives convicted in crimes against humanity cases. A legal framework is being developed to allow these confiscated assets to be distributed among victims' families, a measure not previously implemented by the tribunal. The prosecution is also restructuring its investigation strategy, consolidating multiple complaints into broader, location-based investigations to expedite trials. This approach aims to present all relevant parties and evidence for a specific incident in a single case.

Aminul stated that the prosecution has shortlisted 109 cases from approximately 590 complaints related to incidents during the July uprising in 2024, with a goal to complete both investigations and trials within the next year. Verdicts have been delivered in six crimes against humanity cases so far, with several others nearing completion. Additionally, the prosecution is examining over 3,000 allegations of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. The proposed Enforced Disappearance (Prevention) Act is not expected to conflict with the ICT’s jurisdiction, as widespread or systematic disappearances will remain under the tribunal's purview, while individual cases will be treated as ordinary criminal offenses.

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The ICT Act requires appeals to be filed within 30 days of a judgment and bars appeals after that period.