Former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has filed an appeal with the Appellate Division against the five-year prison sentence handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the July–August 2024 mass uprising.
According to Supreme Court sources, the appeal was filed on December 17.
Earlier, International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death, while Mamun — who testified as an approver (court witness) — was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
The verdict was delivered on November 17 by a three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of assets belonging to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan, and directed the authorities to provide appropriate compensation to the families of those killed and injured during the uprising.
In addition, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan were sentenced to life imprisonment on a separate charge. The prosecution later filed an appeal on December 15, seeking the enhancement of the life sentences to the death penalty.
ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told reporters that the two leaders had received dual sentences — life imprisonment and death — in the crimes against humanity case.
“We have appealed against the life imprisonment sentences, seeking the death penalty. A total of eight grounds have been placed in the appeal,” he said.
A total of 54 witnesses testified in the case, including family members of Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the mass uprising; Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party; and Dr Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh.
Earlier, on July 10, the tribunal framed formal charges in the case and approved Mamun’s application to act as an approver. For the first time, most of the proceedings in the case were broadcast live.
