Hasina’s sentence enhancement appeal hearing to start from January 20
Significant legal progress has been made in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. A date has been set for the appeal hearing against the verdicts of life imprisonment handed down to ousted and fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
On Thursday, Justice Md. Rezaul Haque of the Appellate Division’s Chamber Court issued the relevant order. According to the judge’s directive, the appeal hearing will take place on January 20.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam appeared in court on behalf of the state. He was accompanied by prosecutors Gazi M. H. Tamim and Shyikh Mahdi.
Earlier, on December 15, the state filed an appeal in the same case against the verdict of life imprisonment. In the appeal, the prosecution has sought enhancement of the sentence to the death penalty. Prosecutor Gazi M. H. Tamim later stated that the appeal was filed based on a total of eight grounds.
It may be noted that on November 17, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in one charge. In another charge, they were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Additionally, the case’s approver witness and former Inspector General of Police, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, has also filed an appeal against the five-year prison sentence handed down to him.
Compilation of relevant news articles is as follows –
Daily Inqilab – https://dailyinqilab.com/national/news/853353
Bangla Tribune – https://www.banglatribune.com/others/930115
Dhaka Post – https://www.dhakapost.com/law-courts/424126
Naya Diganta – https://dailynayadiganta.com/printed-edition/gSthSo4Ib4ui
Gramer kagoj – https://www.gramerkagoj.com/court-law/302024
DUAA News – https://www.duaa-news.com/article/29996