A microbus driver named Khokon Chandra Barman has testified for the first time in the case of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The testimony was given at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday afternoon.

In today's statement, Khokon Chandra Barman said that on August 5, 2024, the police shot him in the head in the Jatrabari area of the capital. The bullet hit his eye, nose and mouth. At that time, witness Khokon Chandra Barman took off his mask and showed his face. It was seen that his left eye, nose and mouth were completely deformed.

Khokon Chandra Barman said, "Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and former MP Shamim Osman are responsible for those who killed thousands of people and I want them to be brought to justice."

Along with Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is also an accused in this case. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has admitted responsibility for crimes against humanity in this case. He has also become an 'approver' (the accused who admits guilt and reveals the true account of the incident; he is generally known as a royal witness) in this case.

In this case, the state-appointed lawyer for the fugitive Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is Md. Amir Hossain. After witness Khokon Chandra Barman gave his statement, Amir Hossain interrogated him. During the interrogation, Amir Hossain asked the witness, 'Do you have any documents to prove that you have accused Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal?' In response, Khokon Chandra Barman said, 'No.'

During the interrogation, Amir Hossain asked the witness another question, "The agitating student crowd attacked the police. In this, 13 to 14 policemen of Jatrabari Police Station were killed. Many more policemen were injured. The student crowd used indigenous weapons and firearms in the attack on the police and you were injured by the impact of those weapons." In response, Khokon Chandra Barman said, "These things are untrue."

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam delivered his opening statement at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 at around 11:30 am. In his opening statement, he said, Sheikh Hasina is the nucleus of all crimes.

Before the opening statement, Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman addressed the tribunal. He said in the tribunal that he wants the maximum punishment for the accused in this case under the prevailing law.

The trial proceedings were broadcast live. Five charges have been brought against the accused in the case.