Testimony hearing against Hasina may end in October, prosecution hopes

Eight among 81 witnesses have testified before the tribunal so far

Witness testimonies against three defendants, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case over crimes against humanity linked to the July Uprising will likely be completed in early October, according to prosecutor Mizanul Islam.

He made the remarks on Sunday, the fourth day of the testimony hearing against Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

The hearing began before a two-strong bench, led by Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

Vegetable trader Abdus Samad and Mizan Mia were among the witnesses.

Mizanul, BM Sultan Mahmud, Gazi MH Tamim, Abdus Sattar Palowan and several other lawyers represented the prosecution, while state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain argued for Hasina.

Mizanul said, "We hope that the testimony of material witnesses (witnesses other than the investigation officer) in this case can be completed by September. If it is too late, it may get extended to the first week of October."

He said eight among the 81 witnesses have given their testimonies.

In the morning, police brought former IGP Al-Mamun to the tribunal in a prison van.