On July 10, 2025, Bangladesh’s former Inspector General of Police, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, pleaded guilty to crimes against humanity at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka, linked to the violent suppression of student-led protests in July and August 2024. The protests, led by the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), resulted in up to 1,400 deaths, according to U.N. estimates, and toppled the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Mamun, currently in custody, has agreed to testify as a state witness, potentially aiding the prosecution against Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, both indicted in absentia.
Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024, faces charges including murder, torture, and failure to prevent mass killings during the uprising. The ICT, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, has set August 3, 2025, as the trial’s start date. Leaked audio, verified by international experts, suggests Hasina authorized lethal force against protesters, strengthening the case against her. Meanwhile, a rights group accused the interim government of ignoring over 2,000 attacks on religious minorities, often perceived as Awami League supporters, since the regime’s fall.
The rapid progression of Mamun’s guilty plea has drawn attention on social media, with many noting the case’s swift advancement compared to similar international tribunals. The trial highlights Bangladesh’s efforts to address past state violence while navigating complex political and social tensions.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 11th, 2025
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