Corruption Allegations and Political Bias Claims Destabilize Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal Following Sheikh Hasina Sentencing

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal faces allegations of evidence tampering and corruption following the sentencing of former PM Sheikh Hasina.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 4:10 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Eurasia Review

Institutional Credibility Strained by Internal Conflict

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), originally established to address atrocities from the 1971 Liberation War, is currently navigating severe allegations of procedural misconduct. Recent reports indicate a fractured prosecution team, with ICT Prosecutor Tanvir Hassan Zoha claiming that critical hard drives containing CCTV logs were illicitly replaced. This development has cast a shadow over the "Ashulia body burning" case, specifically regarding allegations that a state witness may have improperly influenced the prosecution through financial means. The internal friction was further highlighted by conflicting public statements issued by different branches of the Chief Prosecutor’s office regarding the status of a fact finding committee.

International Legal Challenges Target Tribunal Fairness

Legal representatives for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have formally intervened, serving a 37 point legal notice to the ICT that challenges the legitimacy of the entire proceedings. The UK based law firm Kingsley Napley argues that the prosecution and subsequent sentencing of the former leader fail to meet basic international standards for fairness. The firm has demanded an immediate nullification of the death penalty and life imprisonment sentences, citing a lack of neutrality within the tribunal’s leadership. Specifically, the notice points to the previous professional affiliations of tribunal officials as evidence of inherent political bias.

Allegations of Systematic Corruption and Bribery

Beyond individual cases, the ICT faces mounting scrutiny over claims of widespread financial impropriety within the prosecution office. Multiple investigative reports suggest that certain prosecutors have demanded significant sums of money, reportedly reaching one crore Bangladeshi taka, in exchange for favorable legal outcomes or bail recommendations. These claims, supported by various audio recordings and documentary evidence, suggest that the institution may be suffering from deep rooted corruption. Such allegations have prompted calls for independent verification to ensure the tribunal does not become a marketplace for judicial favors.