The Chief Prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday sought death penalty for three people including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in a case over crimes against humanity during July Movement.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam came up with the plea before the three-member ICT-1 led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder after closing law-point arguments from his side in the case.

Besides, he also left the matter of sentencing for former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun—who testified as a state witness—to the court’s discretion.

“Our five-day law-point arguments have been completed. Sheikh Hasina was the main accused who was the center around whom the entire crimes were orchestrated. Under the law, the most appropriate punishment for her is the maximum sentence,” he said.

“If she were sentenced to death for each murder, the total would amount to 1,400 death penalties. While such a punishment is not practically enforceable denying even a single death sentence would be a grave miscarriage of justice. Therefore, we have argued that justice in her case demands the highest punishment,” he added.

The chief prosecutor said there was “no scope for leniency” in the case of Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal either and that the state also recommended the death penalty for him.

The prosecution began its final arguments on October 12, during which Chief Prosecutor Islam laid out a historical overview of the Awami League government’s long tenure, describing incidents of enforced disappearances and killings.

On October 13, the prosecution presented several documentary pieces of evidence which it said could play a significant role in the trial.

On October 14, during the third day of arguments, the prosecution played recorded conversations involving Sheikh Hasina, Hasanul Haq Inu and Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, alongside presenting footage of the July-August movement and testimonies of several witnesses.

Earlier, on October 8, witness depositions and cross-examinations by the prosecution concluded.

The chief investigation officer Md. Alamgir was cross-examined by state-appointed defence lawyer Md. Amir Hossain, representing Sheikh Hasina and Kamal on the same day.

The defence challenged the July massacre claims and argued that law enforcement officers were compelled to use force under duress.

On July 10, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun confessed before the tribunal admitting to crimes against humanity committed during the mass uprising.

The prosecution brought five charges of crimes against humanity against the three accused.