Dhaka, Nov 13 (NationPress) The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh is poised to announce its ruling today regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is confronted with accusations of crimes against humanity, including murder, associated with the July 2024 uprising that resulted in her government’s downfall.

The ICT has instituted restrictions around the tribunal area, allowing only limited media and public access during this significant session.

The Bangladesh Awami League (AL), the political party led by Hasina, has declared a nationwide dawn-to-dusk lockdown today in response, calling upon citizens to “unite for the preservation of democracy.” The party’s leadership contends that the charges are politically motivated, aimed at silencing Hasina and eroding the influence of the Awami League.

In August, the ICT dismissed a request from senior Supreme Court lawyer Z.I. Khan Panna to act as Hasina’s representative in this case. The application was filed by lawyer Nazneen Nahar on Panna’s behalf, seeking to provide a defense for Hasina in the trial for crimes against humanity. The tribunal denied the request during the witness testimony phase, indicating it was too late to appoint new legal counsel.

"The train has already left the station; there is no way to board it by informing the station master. At this stage of the case, there is no opportunity to appoint a new lawyer," the tribunal stated, as reported by The Business Standard. The state had already assigned Supreme Court lawyer Amir Hossain to represent Hasina in the proceedings.

The allegations arise from the July 2024 student-led uprising that compelled Sheikh Hasina to resign after weeks of intense protests. Following her ousting, she fled to India on August 5, 2024, while an interim government was established under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. A United Nations report indicates that more than 1,400 individuals may have lost their lives during the demonstrations.