'Inhumane and horrifying': Hasina ordered use of lethal weapons on protesters, says tribunal chief prosecutor
The order led to indiscriminate firing on students and the public across the country, resulting in countless deaths, according to International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam.
International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam has said then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina ordered law enforcement to use "lethal weapons" and "shoot" at protesters to suppress the July Uprising.
Speaking at a press conference in his office today (10 May), he said a conversation between Hasina and then-Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh revealed instructions to the effect of "I have issued my directives – open directives. Now use lethal weapons, directly fire shots wherever you find [them]."
He described such an order from a head of government as inhumane and horrifying, saying it led to indiscriminate firing on students and the public across the country, resulting in countless deaths.
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Aminul said that on 18 and 19 July 2024, drones and helicopters were used to fire indiscriminately on protesters in the Mohammadpur area, causing mass casualties.
He noted the killing of Farhan Faiyaz as particularly heartbreaking, saying it moved the entire nation.
He added that the Mohammadpur case involves charges of superior command responsibility, individual responsibility and targeted killing.
The tribunal has framed charges, he said, adding that testimony will begin on 8 June.
Earlier in the day, the tribunal indicted 28 individuals in the crimes against humanity case related to the killing of nine people in Mohammadpur.
