Challenge to the decision of 17 November; Demand for removal of Sheikh Hasina’s life imprisonment and death sentence, appeal filed

Sheikh Hasina News: The legal troubles of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seem to be increasing. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) prosecutor has filed a formal appeal with the Supreme Court’s Court of Appeal, seeking to commute his life sentence to death sentence. In this appeal, along with Sheikh Hasina, there has also been a demand to increase the sentence of the country’s former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

According to Bangladeshi government news agency BSS News, the appeal is related to crimes against humanity committed during the alleged mass insurgency in July. The prosecution says that considering the seriousness of these crimes, a life sentence is inadequate and the death penalty should be imposed instead.

Citing eight main reasons

ICT prosecutor Ghazi MH Tammi addresses the press at the tribunal premises after filing an appeal in the Supreme Court. He said Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal have already been convicted in cases of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising but there is no uniformity in sentencing. He was sentenced to death on one charge and life imprisonment on the other serious charge.

Tammi explained that the prosecution believes that the charges on which life imprisonment is given are as serious as those on which the death penalty was imposed. In such a situation, maintaining life imprisonment is not in accordance with the principles of justice. He said that on this basis an appeal has been filed citing eight main reasons.

Hearing on this appeal within the time limit

The prosecutor also said that under the law it is mandatory to file an appeal within 30 days of the verdict and the prosecution had completed the process within the deadline. Apart from this, there is a provision for disposal of the appeal within 60 days of its filing. Tammi expressed hope that the Supreme Court will hear this appeal within the stipulated time and give its verdict.

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The appeal partially challenges the November 17 verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal-1, which sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death on one major charge and imprisonment until natural death on another charge. Now the eyes of the entire country and the international community are fixed on the decision of the Supreme Court.