Bangladesh’s former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun testified against Sheikh Hasina before the ICT amid allegations of coercion. The Awami League condemned the trial as politically motivated, while fresh arrests of party leaders signal a widening crackdown under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, sparking fears of political vendetta.
In a development in Bangladesh’s turbulent political climate, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun was produced before the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Wednesday. He appeared as a prosecution witness in connection with a case registered against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal over alleged crimes against humanity during last year’s July protests.
According to local media reports, Al Mamun, who was brought to the tribunal directly from prison, testified against Hasina and Kamal before the three-member ICT bench headed by Tribunal-1 Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder. The testimony marked the 13th recorded deposition in the case, as reported by Bangladesh’s leading daily Jugantor.
Charges Against Hasina and Others
Last month, the ICT formally framed charges against three individuals – Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun – in connection with allegations of crimes committed during the July 2024 demonstrations. The protests, which saw widespread unrest and a violent state crackdown, continue to cast a long shadow over Bangladesh’s political landscape.
While Hasina and Kamal remain at the center of the trial, Mamun himself was initially listed as a co-accused. However, he has since turned state witness, reportedly under pressure. This shift has drawn widespread criticism from Hasina’s party, the Awami League, which claims that Mamun was coerced into testifying under duress.
Awami League’s Strong Condemnation
In a statement issued last month, the Awami League condemned what it termed “inhuman torture and coercion” applied to force Mamun to become a state witness. The party denounced the charges as “false and farcical,” arguing that the tribunal proceedings were politically motivated and designed to target Sheikh Hasina, widely regarded as the political heir to Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“This is part of a malicious attempt to wrongfully convict the daughter of Bangabandhu, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and others based on false and baseless allegations,” the Awami League’s statement declared. “The Awami League strongly condemns and expresses its utter disgust at this heinous and despicable incident.”
Parallel Legal Actions Against Awami Leaders
While Hasina’s trial continues, Bangladeshi authorities have also moved against several other prominent Awami League figures. On Wednesday, a Dhaka court placed former acting Mayor of Gazipur City Corporation, Asadur Rahman Kiron, on a three-day remand in connection with an attempted murder case. The charges allege that Kiron was involved in the attempted killing of businessman Ishtiaq Mahmud during last year’s July unrest.
In the same case, the court ordered former Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor Atiqul Islam to be shown arrested. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate M Mizbah Ur Rahman issued the order following a petition from investigation officer Sub-Inspector Md Nazmul Sakib of Uttara East Police Station, who had initially sought a seven-day remand for Kiron.
These cases represent part of a broader crackdown on Awami League leaders and former officials under the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which assumed power following Hasina’s dramatic ouster in August 2024.
Analysts Warn of Political Vendetta
Political analysts suggest that the developments form part of a wider campaign of retribution being pursued by the Yunus-led government against Sheikh Hasina and her party. Many observers argue that the cases are politically charged, intended to weaken the Awami League and prevent Hasina’s return to power.
“Soon after Sheikh Hasina’s removal, a series of cases were filed against her, her cabinet members, and bureaucrats closely associated with her government. Many of these charges appear to be tenuous and politically motivated,” said one Dhaka-based political commentator.
The treatment of former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who is now testifying against Hasina after being held in custody, has amplified these concerns. Human rights organizations and Hasina’s supporters allege that he has been subjected to psychological and physical coercion to secure testimony favorable to the prosecution.
A Deepening Political Divide
The unfolding events highlight the deepening political divide in Bangladesh, where Sheikh Hasina’s removal last year triggered a shift in power dynamics. With the International Crimes Tribunal now at the forefront of prosecuting figures linked to the previous government, critics argue that the judicial process itself risks being undermined by political interference.
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As Hasina faces trial and her close allies come under mounting legal scrutiny, the Awami League has intensified its accusations of state-led persecution. Meanwhile, the interim government insists that the prosecutions are legitimate and necessary to hold those responsible for last year’s violence accountable.
With international attention growing on Bangladesh’s fragile political stability, the outcomes of these tribunal proceedings and high-profile trials will be critical in shaping the country’s democratic trajectory in the months ahead.
