Prosecution to seek death sentence in case where Hasina was given life term

Tribunal has handed death penalty in one charge and life sentence in another

The prosecution will appeal to have the life sentence handed to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in a crimes against humanity case upgraded to the death penalty.

A three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, delivered its judgment in the case on Nov 17.

The tribunal awarded the death penalty in one charge, while handing a life sentence in another.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, commenting on the verdict on Thursday, said the prosecution is reviewing the full text of the judgment.

“We are observing the verdict, but we have made an initial decision to appeal to upgrade the life sentence to a death penalty,” he added.

Asked about the timing of the appeal, he said: “An appeal must be filed within 30 days of the judgment. We will submit it within that period.”

The tribunal had also ordered the seizure of all properties belonging to Hasina and Kamal.

Another suspect in the case, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who appeared as a state witness, was sentenced to five years in prison.