International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said ousted Sheikh Hasina would not be able to seek a waiver of delay to face proceedings in the case in which she was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. Tamim made the remarks at a press briefing at the tribunal premises on Sunday. He said Hasina and other accused in the case knew about the proceedings and therefore could not make such an application after returning.

Tamim said fugitives convicted in criminal cases often return and claim they were unaware of the proceedings and were tried in their absence. They then seek forgiveness for the lengthy delay and ask to face trial. But he said Hasina and the other accused had made statements while abroad, spoken about returning, and defended the case through the media.

On November 17 last year, the tribunal sentenced fugitive Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a crimes-against-humanity case over the July killings. It also ordered their assets confiscated and distributed among martyrs' and victims' families. Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun received five years in prison. Appeals must be filed within one month of the verdict, with accused required to surrender and appear in person.