Hasina, 10 others’ seized assets to fund compensation for July martyrs’ families

The prosecution has moved to bring the assets of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and around 10 other fugitive convicts under government custody, with plans to sell 50 per cent of the confiscated properties and distribute the proceeds among families of those killed during the July uprising.


The list includes Hasina, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former lawmaker Mahbubul Alam Hanif, among others.

Aminul Islam said eight cases had been decided by the two tribunals over the past year since their reconstitution. Around 72 people, including Hasina and Quader, have been sentenced to different terms in these cases, including death sentences, life imprisonment and other prison terms.

He said some of the convicted accused who are in custody or have been arrested had filed appeals in accordance with the law. The implementation of their sentences would be determined after the appeals are disposed of.

However, the prosecution believes that the 30-day deadline for filing appeals has expired for fugitive convicts who failed to appeal within the stipulated period after the verdicts. Their sentences could therefore be enforced without legal obstacles once they are arrested, he said.

Explaining the move to secure the properties, the chief prosecutor said there was a risk that fugitive convicts could transfer or sell their assets after failing to appeal within the prescribed timeframe.

He said the tribunal's verdicts and orders had already been formally sent to the government. However, the prosecution decided to write separately to the Home Ministry to emphasise the urgency of implementing the orders.

The letter will seek the immediate identification and transfer of the confiscated properties to government custody, followed by the sale of 50 per cent of the assets and distribution of the proceeds among the families of those killed during the July-August uprising, he added.

Asked about the volume and financial value of the assets, Aminul Islam said it was not yet possible to determine the figures. The government would first identify whether the properties were movable or immovable and assess their actual market value.

He said the Home Ministry was responsible for implementing the tribunal's verdicts and orders.

The chief prosecutor said the prosecution would review all relevant confiscation orders and notify the ministry about the assets of around 11 to 12 individuals.