The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md. Aminul Islam, has said there is no alternative to executing the death sentence of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He made the remarks during a briefing at the tribunal premises on Tuesday, a day after reports emerged that Hasina had applied for a passport to return to the country.
The Chief Prosecutor stated that according to the Tribunal Act, no appeal is admissible after 30 days from the date of the verdict. As that period has lapsed for Sheikh Hasina, the execution of the verdict is now the only legal recourse.
Case Background
On November 17 last year, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced Sheikh Hasina and her then-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the mass uprising. Another accused in the case is former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.Legal Stance on Passport Issue
During the same briefing, the Chief Prosecutor categorically stated that there is no legal scope for the Bangladesh government to issue a passport to Sheikh Hasina, a fugitive convict sentenced to death. "If they genuinely wish to return, we want to give clear advice: Sheikh Hasina should submit a written application to the Indian government," he said.The Chief Prosecutor's comments carry significant weight given the recent reports of Hasina's passport application. Legal analysts suggest that while the international legal process for the extradition and execution of a fugitive convict is complex, the tribunal's position is now unequivocal.
