 "Bangladesh sentences exiled Sheikh Hasina to 6-month jail, tribunal convicts her in contempt case")
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Wednesday (July 2) sentenced Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to six months in prison. The punishment is in connection with a contempt of court case, according to a report by The Dhaka Tribune newspaper.
A three-member bench of the ICT-1, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, issued the verdict. The ruling marks the first time that the deposed Awami League leader has been sentenced in any case since she was forced to leave office and flee Bangladesh 11 months ago.
In the same verdict, the tribunal sentenced Shakil Akand Bulbul of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha to two months in prison.
The ICT-1 said that the sentences against the two politicians would come into effect from the day of their arrest or surrender.
What is the case about?
The prosecution filed a contempt of court complaint against Sheikh Hasina and a second individual named Bulbul. The allegation relates to a telephonic conversation in which Hasina was allegedly heard saying she had a “license to kill” 227 people. because 227 cases had been filed against her.
The prosecution claimed this statement was contemptuous toward the court, possibly implying she was above legal scrutiny or undermining the judiciary’s authority.
What happened in court?
May 15: Hasina and Bulbul were ordered to submit their explanations to the court.
May 25: After failing to respond, they were formally summoned to appear.
June 3: They again did not appear, despite the summons being published in two national newspapers.
As a result of their continued absence, the tribunal went ahead with proceedings in their absence.
To ensure fairness, the court appointed AY Moshiuzzaman as an amicus curiae (an impartial legal expert who assists the court).
Advocate Amir Hossain was appointed as their state defence counsel, after another lawyer, Aminul Gani Tipu, withdrew due to a conflict of interest.
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