Staff Correspondent:

The opening statements have commenced in the trial of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and three other accused, who are facing charges of crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam is presenting the prosecution’s opening remarks.

Before the proceedings began, Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman addressed a brief statement in front of the tribunal.

He said, “Today is a historic day. In the history of the world, no dictator like Sheikh Hasina has ever emerged. She is the world’s greatest liar and dictator.”

The Attorney General further stated, “If a dictator wants to earn a PhD in lying, they must learn from Sheikh Hasina. If an association of all the world’s dictators were formed, Sheikh Hasina would be its president. For the sake of Bangladesh’s future and for the sake of the next generation, we demand the highest punishment for the dictator and her accomplices.”

At this point, the Attorney General also highlighted to the court the ultimate fate of other dictators throughout world history.

The hearing commenced at 11:30 AM on Sunday (August 3) in International Crimes Tribunal-1, presided over by a three-member bench led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuja Majumder. Today’s proceedings are being broadcast live on the Tribunal’s official Facebook page.