Maximum security measures have been taken at the International Crimes Tribunal to determine the date of the verdict of three people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, in the case of crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 24 protests.

Police-RAB, BGB-Army and plainclothes intelligence agency members have been deployed in the tribunal premises since Thursday (November 13) morning. At the same time, a security cordon has been set up around it. Even the public and journalists are being allowed to enter after conducting searches.

It is learnt that security has been beefed up in and around the tribunal to avoid any untoward incident surrounding the verdict date. Law enforcement officials are on high alert.

Those concerned said that all-out preparations have been made to ensure that no one can cause any provocative activities or chaos on the day of the verdict. Security arrangements have been made in such a way that the court proceedings are completed without any disruption.

The verdict date for the case will be set by a three-member judicial panel led by International Crimes Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder after 10 am today. The other two members of the tribunal are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman delivered his closing statement in the case on October 23. He narrated to the tribunal how heavyweight leaders including various prime ministers of the world had to face trial for crimes against humanity. At the same time, he demanded the maximum sentence for Sheikh Hasina and Kamal. Later, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam responded to some of the arguments presented by the state-appointed lawyer for the accused. Then, State Defense Lawyer Amir Hossain responded to some of their statements. Later, the tribunal set today as the date for announcing the verdict.

Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun is also named in this case. He has given a statement to the tribunal as a public witness. For this, the prosecution has left the decision of the tribunal to the discretion of Sheikh Hasina-Kamal, even though they have sought the maximum sentence. Mamun’s lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad has also sought his acquittal. All in all, whether this former IGP will smile or something else will be known on the day of the verdict.

The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity against them in this case. These include incitement, use of deadly weapons, killing of Abu Sayeed, killing in Chankharpul and burning of bodies in Ashulia. The formal charges total 8,747 pages. Of this, references are 2,018 pages, seized lists and documentary evidence are 4,05 pages and the list of martyrs is 2,724 pages. 84 people have been called as witnesses. The investigation agency of the tribunal submitted the report of the case to the Chief Prosecutor on May 12.

Meanwhile, the Awami League, whose activities have been banned, has announced a lockdown program around the date of Sheikh Hasina’s verdict. As a result, the party’s leaders and activists are trying to create chaos across the country through various misdeeds including arson and cocktails. In the meantime, several people have been arrested by the law enforcement agencies. However, the tribunal’s prosecution has said that they do not feel unsafe in such activities.