Amir Hossain, the state-appointed defense lawyer, is distressed by the death sentence handed down to Sheikh Hasina in the case of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. He said, “I respectfully accept the verdict given by the honorable tribunal. However, the verdict was not in my favor, it went against me. I am angry for this. I am harboring pain. I am distressed by the death sentence of the accused.”
Amir Hossain said these things in response to a question from journalists after the verdict was announced at the International Crimes Tribunal on Monday (November 17).
In response to a question about whether the order violated the law or not, he said, “It would not be right to say that the law was violated, then the tribunal will be blamed. I am not saying that. I am distressed. There are many things about the law. If my clients ever appeal, then many issues will come up in the Appellate Division.’
In response to a question about whether the court took into account the arguments presented in favor of Sheikh Hasina, Amir Hossain said, ‘I will not say that they did not take my arguments. They did take my arguments. They took many things. After taking them, the honorable tribunal felt that their arguments were stronger than mine. Considering that, they gave the verdict that way. Therefore, I will not say that they did not take mine. I will say that I am hurt by this verdict.’
In response to a question about whether the defendant has any other option, Amir Hossain said, ‘If the defendant is arrested, or he surrenders, then there is a legal option. Apart from this, there is no legal option.’
In response to a question about whether you agree with the verdict, Amir Hossain said, ‘I did not say that I agree. I said that I am hurt. If the verdict is against me, won’t I feel bad? It is natural to feel bad. I have been fighting the case for so long on behalf of the accused, and as much as I would have liked if the accused had been acquitted, it did not happen. I will suffer from it.’
In response to a question about whether justice was established in the verdict or not, Amir Hossain said, ‘This is the wrong question. I am not willing to answer it. This is a question that misleads anyone. It is better not to ask the wrong question.’
