The prosecution in the International Crimes Tribunal-2 alleged on Monday that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered senior officials to kill protesters and conceal their bodies during the July 2024 uprising, referencing a United Nations fact-finding report. The statement was made as part of proceedings to frame charges against 19 individuals, including former Awami League lawmaker Saiful Islam, in connection with the killing of Sheikh Ashabul Yamin, a student of the Military Institute of Science and Technology, and the shooting of six others during the protests.

Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim cited the UN report titled “Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024,” highlighting testimony from a senior official. According to the testimony, on July 19, Hasina reportedly instructed senior officials at a meeting to “arrest the ringleaders of the protests, the troublemakers, kill them and hide their bodies.”

The prosecution also referred to a recorded phone conversation dated July 18 between Hasina and Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, the then mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), as part of the evidence. Details from the call were presented to underscore the government’s response during the period of unrest.

The tribunal is examining allegations related to a crackdown on demonstrations that escalated into violent confrontations, resulting in multiple casualties. The July protests were initially sparked by political tensions and grievances, leading to widespread clashes between security forces and demonstrators.

Defence representatives have yet to comment on the prosecution’s claim, and no official response from Sheikh Hasina or her office has been reported so far. The trial continues as the tribunal evaluates the evidence presented by both sides to determine responsibility for the incidents amid the protests.