Security at the International Crimes Tribunal has been beefed up ahead of the announcement of the verdict in the case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and three others accused of crimes against humanity, including murder, during the July uprising.

The Awami League has announced a 'Dhaka Lockdown' program to ban activities on this day. As a result, additional security has been taken up in the tribunal area.

Police-RAB, BGB-Army and plainclothes intelligence agency members have been deployed in the tribunal premises since Thursday morning. At the same time, a security cordon has been set up around it. Even the public and journalists are being allowed to enter after conducting searches.

It is learnt that security has been beefed up in and around the tribunal to avoid any untoward incident surrounding the verdict date. Law enforcement officials are on high alert.

Those concerned said that all-out preparations have been made to ensure that no one can cause any provocative activities or chaos on the day of the verdict. Security arrangements have been made in such a way that the court proceedings are completed without any disruption.

To prevent any sabotage around the announcement of the verdict date and the Awami League program, 17,000 DMP members have been deployed at various important establishments in Dhaka today. In addition, members of the army, BGB and various police units are also deployed.

To ensure security, members of the law enforcement agencies have been searching public transport and suspicious persons at various checkpoints at the entrances of Dhaka since Wednesday. This activity continues today as well. Search operations were carried out at various residential hotels and messes in Dhaka last night.

After the final arguments of both sides, the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, fixed October 23 as the date for the order. The other two members of the tribunal are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman delivered his closing statement in the case on October 23. He narrated to the tribunal how heavyweight leaders including various prime ministers of the world had to face trial for crimes against humanity. At the same time, he demanded the maximum sentence for Sheikh Hasina and Kamal. Later, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam responded to some of the arguments presented by the state-appointed lawyer for the accused. Then, State Defense Lawyer Amir Hossain responded to some of their statements. Later, the tribunal set today as the date for announcing the verdict.

Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun is also named in this case. He has given a statement to the tribunal as a public witness. For this, the prosecution has left the decision of the tribunal to the discretion of Sheikh Hasina-Kamal, even though they have sought the maximum sentence. Mamun's lawyer Zayed Bin Amjad has also sought his acquittal. All in all, whether this former IGP will smile or something else will be known on the day of the verdict.