Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on 25 October last year instructed her party leaders to make a list of law enforcement and tribunal officials, alongside commanding them to set fire to the homes of her rivals, the International Crime Tribunal-1 said on Tuesday.
The tribunal has given six-month imprisonment to Sheikh Hasina on charge of contempt of court and two-month imprisonment to Chattra League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul in this regard.
The three-member tribunal led by Justice M Golam Murtaza Majumder passed the order on July 2 and prosecutor of the tribunal Gazi M H Tamim gave the full copy of the verdict to the journalists on Tuesday.
During the tribunal's investigation, a leaked audio conversation between the ousted Hasina and Bulbul was scruntinised.
Bulbul had spread the audio conversation among local journalists and the party leaders.
In the audio, Hasina could be heard giving the instructions.
The conversations took place in meetings of the party held virtually on Whatsapp and Zoom through its online group called "A-Team", according to the investigation.
Mentioning that prosecutor Tanvir Hasan Zoha has investigated the conversation between Sheikh Hasina and Bulbul, the verdict said a journalist named Suman Mia located in Gaibandha first got the leaked audio.
Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam moved the case in the court while Advocate Amir Hossen took part in the hearing on behalf of Sheikh Hasina and Shakil Alam Bulbul.
On the other hand, Supreme Court senior lawyer AY Masiuzzaman gave his opinion as Amicus curie.
So far, a total of three cases have been filed against Hasina at the ICT for crimes against humanity during the student-people uprising in July-August.
The verdict will be effective from the date of arrest or surrender of the accused.
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