The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to six months in prison and Shakil Akand Bulbul of Gobindaganj Upazila, Gaibandha, to two months in prison, both for contempt of court.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued the order on Wednesday afternoon.
The case stemmed from a telephone conversation on October 25 of last year, where Sheikh Hasina allegedly threatened to kill 227 people during a call with a Gaibandha Awami League leader. The prosecution later filed a case regarding this matter.
Yesterday, Tribunal 1 heard arguments concerning contempt of court against the two individuals, including the absconding Sheikh Hasina. The tribunal listened to the leaked audio, in which Sheikh Hasina was heard saying, "I have received a license to kill 227 people." This statement was deemed to be a threat to the judicial system, leading to her six-month prison sentence.
It's noteworthy that despite there being no precedent for appointing a lawyer for an absconding accused in such a case, Sheikh Hasina was provided with a lawyer at government expense in the interest of justice.
