Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal is set to deliver its first verdict today in a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two co-accused over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment, while victims’ families have expressed strong demands for the death penalty. Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha, brother of slain protester Mir Mugdha, told reporters that even a thousand executions would be insufficient for Hasina’s alleged crimes. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder with Justices Md Shofiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, will announce the verdict. The case also names former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as co-defendants. The judgment is expected to mark a significant moment in post-uprising accountability efforts and could have major political repercussions.

Unidentified miscreants threw homemade explosive devices, locally known as cocktails, at the main gate of Grameen Industrial Park-2 in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, early Monday morning. The attack occurred around 5 a.m., causing a fire that burned the park’s signboard before security personnel managed to extinguish it. No casualties were reported as no one was present at the gate during the incident. The attackers also targeted a nearby construction site belonging to the same company before fleeing the scene. Police were informed and later visited the site, though officials have not yet commented publicly. In a separate but possibly related incident, another act of arson was reported at a construction excavator in the nearby Medhi Ashulai area. The motive behind the attacks remains unclear, and law enforcement authorities have not confirmed any arrests or suspects so far.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has warned that Awami League supporters may disrupt the upcoming national election scheduled for February if international sanctions on the party are not lifted. In an interview with Reuters, Joy stated that the situation could escalate into violence if the restrictions persist. The warning came just before the verdict in a war crimes case against Sheikh Hasina and two others, related to alleged offenses during the July 2024 uprising that led to her ouster. Sheikh Hasina has reportedly been residing in India since August 2024 under government protection. Joy claimed that India is providing her full security and treating her with the respect accorded to a head of state. He also expressed his belief that his mother would likely be convicted and possibly sentenced to death in the ongoing trial.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the nation is anxiously awaiting the verdict in the war crimes case against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others, which is scheduled to be announced today by the International Crimes Tribunal. In a Facebook post, Fakhrul expressed hope for a fair judgment aligned with international standards. The verdict will be broadcast live by Bangladesh Television (BTV), other local media, and Reuters, with large screens set up across Dhaka for public viewing. Security has been heightened around the tribunal and Supreme Court areas, with multiple law enforcement agencies, including the army and intelligence units, deployed to maintain order. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, is expected to deliver the ruling after 11 a.m. amid intense national and international attention.

Injured July fighters arrived at the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka on Monday morning to witness the verdict in a war crimes case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and ex-Inspector General of Police Mamun. The case concerns mass killings during July–August, with Hasina and Kamal being tried in absentia while Mamun, currently imprisoned, testified against them as a state witness. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, was scheduled to deliver the verdict later in the day. Security was significantly heightened around the tribunal and Supreme Court areas, with police, RAB, APBn, BGB, and army personnel deployed. Law enforcement restricted public movement and closed nearby roads from Sunday evening to ensure safety. The prosecution sought maximum punishment for Hasina and Kamal, leaving Mamun’s sentencing to the tribunal’s discretion.

A fire broke out at a shoe factory in the Sikkatuli Mazar Goli area under Bangshal Police Station in Old Dhaka early Sunday, leaving three workers seriously injured. The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. when an adhesive solution reportedly caught fire during night work. The victims, identified as Ainuddin (45), Amir Uddin (40), and Ruman (16), were rescued by locals and taken to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. According to hospital sources, Ainuddin suffered burns on 20 percent of his body, Amir Uddin on 10 percent, and Ruman on 45 percent. Police confirmed that all three are currently receiving treatment. The cause of the fire appears to be accidental, triggered by flammable materials used in shoe production. Authorities are investigating the incident to ensure workplace safety compliance and prevent future accidents in similar small-scale factories across the area.

Two separate arson incidents occurred in Savar and Dhamrai between Sunday night and early Monday, reportedly linked to unrest surrounding a court verdict involving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In Savar’s Birulia area, unidentified assailants set fire to a parked bus, burning more than half of it before locals and fire services brought the blaze under control. In Dhamrai, another bus parked near the Palli Bidyut office was similarly torched, though no casualties were reported. Police suspect political motives behind the attacks and have launched investigations to identify those responsible. In response to rising tensions, Savar police established checkpoints along the Dhaka-Aricha highway to ensure public safety and verify passenger identities. Authorities also conducted raids, arresting four Awami League activists suspected of involvement in recent violence. The incidents come amid heightened political activity and security measures tied to the ruling party’s lockdown program.

A homemade explosive, locally known as a 'cocktail', detonated in front of Tax Zone-10 in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha area on Sunday night, November 16. The explosion occurred around 10:15 p.m., according to Ramna Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Faruq. No injuries or casualties were reported, but the blast created panic among nearby residents and passersby. Law enforcement personnel quickly arrived at the scene to secure the area and begin an investigation. Police are currently working to identify the individuals or groups responsible for the incident. The motive behind the explosion remains unclear, and authorities have yet to determine whether it was politically motivated or an act of local mischief. Security has been tightened in the surrounding areas as a precautionary measure.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 has brought five charges against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two co-accused—former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and ex-Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun—over alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The charges include incitement through provocative speeches, orders to use lethal force against protesters, and killings in Rangpur, Dhaka’s Chankharpul, and Ashulia. Hasina and Asaduzzaman are reportedly in India and remain fugitives. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, is set to deliver its verdict today, marking the first ruling related to the uprising’s atrocities. Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim stated that the prosecution has proven all five charges beyond doubt and will accept any verdict in the interest of justice. The tribunal has allowed live broadcasting of the verdict announcement, while Interpol has been requested to issue a red notice for Hasina, with a possible conviction warrant to follow if she is sentenced.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was produced before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday morning ahead of the verdict in a war crimes case linked to the July uprising. The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, is set to deliver the long-awaited judgment. The main accused in the case is former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accompanied by former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and ex-IGP Mamun. Hasina and Asaduzzaman are reportedly in India and have been declared fugitives. The prosecution has sought the death penalty and confiscation of their properties, while the defense has pleaded for acquittal. Security has been significantly tightened around the tribunal and Supreme Court areas, with police, RAB, BGB, and army personnel deployed. Vehicular movement and public access have been restricted near the Doel Chattar area since Sunday evening to ensure security before the verdict announcement.

Ahead of the verdict in a war crimes case against ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, several anti-fascist political alliances, including Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizens Party (NCP), and the BNP, announced they will remain on the streets to prevent potential unrest. The groups fear that the banned Awami League might attempt acts of sabotage or violence following the ruling. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned of nationwide tension and urged political unity to safeguard democracy. Leaders from the eight-party alliance said their activists would guard key installations and religious sites to ensure public safety. While some parties, like the Amar Bangladesh Party, emphasized the legal nature of the verdict, they also pledged to resist any attempt to disrupt justice. The coalition leaders reiterated that maintaining law and order is primarily the government’s responsibility but affirmed their readiness to act if violence erupts.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has warned that Awami League supporters will disrupt the upcoming national election scheduled for February if the current ban on the party is not lifted. In an interview with Reuters on November 16, Joy cautioned that the situation could escalate into violence. His remarks came a day before the verdict in war crimes cases against Sheikh Hasina and two others, related to the deadly July uprising that toppled her government. A UN report stated that at least 1,400 people were killed during anti-government protests between July 15 and August 5 last year, marking the deadliest political unrest since Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. Joy, currently residing in Washington, said India is providing his mother full security in exile in New Delhi. He asserted that no election would be allowed without Awami League’s participation and warned of potential clashes if international actors remain passive.

Bus operations from Barishal’s Nathullabad terminal remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Monday, November 17, following extensive vandalism by students of BM College. The unrest began Saturday night after a dispute over half fares led hundreds of students to storm the terminal, damaging more than 150 buses along with terminal buildings and ticket counters. Bus owners reported that nearly all vehicles were rendered unusable, preventing them from resuming service on 23 local routes. Passengers faced severe travel disruptions, with many resorting to three-wheelers or rented motorcycles to reach their destinations. The Barishal District Bus Owners’ Group stated they have requested compensation from the college authorities and will resume operations only after repairs are completed. However, long-distance routes, including those to Dhaka, continue to operate normally despite the local transport shutdown.

A small explosion occurred at Chobir Haat near Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area on Monday morning. According to Shahbagh Police Station duty officer Sub-Inspector Rajib Chowdhury, the incident took place around 9:55 a.m., and police teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. Local sources reported that a group of unidentified miscreants detonated a homemade explosive, commonly known as a cocktail, before fleeing the area. Fortunately, no injuries or property damage were reported. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible and determine the motive behind the attack. The incident caused temporary panic among nearby pedestrians and vendors, but the situation was brought under control shortly afterward. Security measures in the area have since been tightened.

Dr. Mofakhkharul Islam Rana, a member of Mymensingh District BNP and a nomination aspirant for the Gafargaon constituency, stated that the family of late President Ziaur Rahman has endured the most persecution over the past 15 years under what he described as a fascist government. Speaking as the chief guest at a courtyard meeting organized by BNP and its affiliated bodies in Maizbari Bazar, Longair Union, he said Begum Khaleda Zia was forced out of her home and imprisoned, while acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman faced persecution and was compelled to live abroad. Several local BNP leaders, including Sheikh Md. Ishaq, Abdul Hamid, and Azaharul Haque, were also present at the event. Rana emphasized that the Zia family’s suffering symbolizes the broader political repression faced by opposition members in Bangladesh.