Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has said that the 2024 mass uprising became inevitable as the Awami League government, led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, had gradually turned into a monstrous regime.
He made the comment on Sunday, while presenting arguments before the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.
During the argument phase of the case against Sheikh Hasina and two others over crimes against humanity committed in July–August 2024, the chief prosecutor highlighted what he described as the fascist rule of the Awami League.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said: “Over the past 15 years, the Awami League government had gradually transformed into a monster. It began with the BDR massacre, which broke the backbone of our defence system.”
He added: “Later, they institutionalized enforced disappearances and killings, destroyed the electoral process, and abolished the caretaker system. Corruption became all-pervasive. Through these actions, the Awami League government turned into a truly monstrous regime.”
He also said: “Persecuting the people, killing them, and ruling through fear and intimidation were their objectives. This monstrous regime eventually launched a full-scale attack on our young generation in 2024.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the cross-examination of the final (54th) witness, Investigating Officer Md Alamgir, concluded, and the tribunal fixed Sunday for the hearing of arguments.
Representing the prosecution were Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam, and Gazi MH Tamim, along with other prosecutors present at the hearing.
State-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain represented Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, while lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad appeared for former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who was arrested in this case but later became an approver after confessing to his involvement.
The tribunal had framed charges against Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on July 10, initiating the trial.
At one stage, the tribunal approved former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun’s application to become a state approver, admitting his guilt and assisting in uncovering the truth of the incidents. Subsequently, the former IGP gave testimony as a prosecution witness in this case.
In addition to this case, Sheikh Hasina faces two other cases before the tribunal — one relating to enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League’s 15-and-a-half-year rule, and another concerning the killing of protesters during Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, Dhaka.
