The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-1) sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to six months in prison for contempt of court on July 2. According to reports, this marks the first legal sentence against her since she was ousted from office and fled Bangladesh 11 months ago.

Additionally, the tribunal handed a two-month sentence to Shakil Akand Bulbul, a political figure from Gobindaganj in Gaibandha. Moreover, the court ruled that the sentences would begin on the day of arrest or surrender.

What Sparked the Contempt Case?

The case began after prosecutors submitted a complaint involving a phone conversation. During this call, Hasina allegedly said, “I had a license to kill 227 people,” referring to the 227 legal cases filed against her.

As a result, prosecutors argued that her words insulted the judiciary and suggested she was above the law.

What Happened During the Trial?

Initially, on May 15, the court asked Hasina and Bulbul to provide an explanation. However, they failed to respond. Consequently, on May 25, the court issued formal summons. When they again failed to appear on June 3, the court decided to move forward without them.

To maintain fairness, the tribunal appointed AY Moshiuzzaman as an amicus curiae, a neutral legal expert. Furthermore, it named Advocate Amir Hossain as the state-appointed defence lawyer after Aminul Gani Tipu stepped down due to a conflict of interest.

Despite the court's efforts, including publishing the summons in two national newspapers, Hasina and Bulbul remained absent. Therefore, the court proceeded and issued its verdict in their absence.