Hasina’s passport request a political stunt, says ICT chief prosecutor

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam has described reports that ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has sought a new passport as a "political stunt", saying she has taken no formal steps to return to Bangladesh or surrender before the court.

Speaking to reporters on the tribunal premises in Dhaka on Monday, Aminul said the reported passport request did not indicate any genuine intention by Hasina to return and face justice.

"This is nothing but a political stunt of hers," he said, adding that such public statements were intended to confuse people and divert attention from her status as a convicted fugitive.

Aminul recalled that Hasina fled to India on 5 August 2024 following the mass uprising that toppled her government. She has remained there since then while facing prosecution over atrocities committed during the crackdown on protesters in the anti-discrimination student movement.

He said ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, had sentenced Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in absentia for crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 uprising.

The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of all personal assets belonging to Hasina and Kamal, directing that the funds be used to compensate the families of those killed and provide medical assistance to those injured during the movement.

Referring to the tribunal proceedings, Aminul highlighted the testimony of former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned state witness. He said Al-Mamun's full confession provided important evidence of command responsibility and led to a reduced sentence of five years in prison.

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The chief prosecutor said that if Hasina genuinely intended to abide by the law, she would follow established legal and diplomatic channels instead of making political statements.

He added that the prosecution team would continue pursuing all available legal avenues to implement the tribunal's directives.