Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md Aminul Islam, said that there is no alternative to enforcing the death sentences once former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina returns to the country.
He made this statement the day after the news broke about the ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina applying for a passport to return to the country.
During a briefing at the premises of the International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday, Bangladesh’s Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam stated that the tribunal law specifies that appeals will not be accepted 30 days after the verdict is announced.
Currently, there is no alternative but to enforce the verdict concerning Sheikh Hasina.
On 17 November, 2025, International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced Sheikh Hasina and her government's Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death in a case related to crimes against humanity during a mass uprising.
Another accused in the case, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, was sentenced to five years as a state witness.
Fifty-seven days after the verdict announcement, the full judgment of the case was made public on 13 January. The law provides for appeals to be filed within 30 days of publishing the full verdict. It is stated in the judgment that appeals will not be accepted after 30 days.
Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted in the 2024 coup, has been at large since the trial began. She expressed in an international media interview her intent to return to the country at any cost in December. Renewed discussions on the issue have arisen following the recent news about her passport and national identity card applications.
In today's briefing, journalists inquired whether Sheikh Hasina would have the chance for a legal fight upon returning to Bangladesh. In response, Aminul Islam stated, “Whether she gets a legal opportunity or not; what process she will follow to avail herself of a legal opportunity or not; . . . if she is found in Bangladesh, this will be settled then.”
The Chief Prosecutor noted that according to the International Crimes Tribunal law, Sheikh Hasina has no opportunity to appeal.
– with Agencies inputs --
