The International Crimes Tribunal directed that public notices be published in national dailies after law enforcers failed to locate former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at their known addresses in connection with the July Uprising crimes against humanity case.
The tribunal fixed June 24 as the next date for hearing.
The three-member judicial bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1 headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder passed the order on Monday following a status report by police regarding the execution of arrest warrants.
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, the third accused in the case, appeared before the tribunal during the day's proceedings. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam represented the prosecution, while Prosecutor Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar and Additional Chief Prosecutor Mizanul Islam also took part in the hearing.
This development follows the tribunal's cognizance of charges on June 1, where five counts of crimes against humanity were formally accepted against Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Kamal and Abdullah Al Mamun for their alleged roles in the state-sponsored massacre during the July Uprising anti-discrimination student movement.
"Formal charges have been accepted and arrest warrants have been issued. As the accused remain absconding, the court has directed for public notices to be published," said Tajul Islam. The charges were read out in open court and are permitted to be broadcast by all forms of media.
The prosecution alleges that Sheikh Hasina was the chief architect behind the genocidal campaign. An investigation report submitted by the agency on May 12 categorically identifies her as the key instigator accusing her of issuing direct orders to suppress the mass uprising by lethal force.
Earlier, the tribunal had instructed the investigating agency on February 18 to complete the probe against Hasina in the July-August massacre case within April 20. That directive was passed following an application filed by the prosecution team.
The tribunal's scope widened further in December last year when it ordered the completion of investigations against 48 individuals including Sheikh Hasina, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and several top officials. These directives stem from two separate petitions involving coordinated attacks on unarmed civilians during the student-led uprising.
According to the prosecution, the atrocities committed under Hasina's command during her tenure were 'systematic and widespread', targeting student activists and civilians participating in a peaceful movement against state discrimination.
"The state under Hasina responded to dissent with indiscriminate killings," the tribunal told. The estimated death toll exceeds 1,500, with widespread allegations of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and torture in custody.
