Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to announce its verdict today in a significant case involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her close aides, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The tribunal's three-judge panel, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, confirmed the verdict date amid heightened security across Dhaka. Additional forces from the Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, and the army have been deployed around the tribunal to maintain order.

The charges against Hasina stem from the violent suppression of protests during the student-led uprising in July and August last year. Prosecutors allege that the Awami League government, under Hasina's leadership, engaged in brutal crackdowns on demonstrators. Both Hasina and Kamal are being tried in absentia after fleeing the country, while Al-Mamun, who has turned state witness, remains in custody and has provided detailed testimony regarding the alleged directives from top officials.

Security measures have been intensified not only in Dhaka but also in surrounding areas like Gopalganj, Madaripur, and Faridpur, in anticipation of potential unrest following the verdict. Analysts suggest that the outcome of this trial could have significant political implications, especially with national elections approaching.

The case includes five counts against the accused, based on a comprehensive 8,747-page charge document. Key allegations include inciting violence during a press briefing, directing the use of lethal force against protesters, and involvement in specific killings of students during the unrest. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has stated that the evidence against the accused is robust, while the defense has dismissed the charges as unfounded and lacking direct evidence linking Hasina to the alleged crimes. The verdict is expected to draw considerable attention and could influence the political landscape in Bangladesh.