Mamun seeks acquittal after 5-year prison sentence

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has filed an appeal seeking acquittal from the five-year prison sentence handed down to him in connection with crimes against humanity during the July student uprising of 2024. On Monday morning, 22 December, Mamun, through his legal representatives, submitted the appeal to the appropriate judicial authorities.

The July–August 2024 student-led uprising shook the nation, culminating in widespread violence and incidents classified as crimes against humanity. Mamun, who was initially implicated as a defendant, later assumed the role of a state witness, also known legally as an “approver,” during the international tribunal proceedings. Despite his cooperation with the prosecution, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on 17 November sentenced him to five years in prison.

The tribunal’s landmark ruling also included capital punishment for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, delivered the verdict. The other members of the tribunal were Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

The case had officially commenced on 10 July 2024, when the tribunal formally framed charges against Mamun, Sheikh Hasina, and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. During the proceedings, Mamun confessed to aspects of the incidents, subsequently switching from accused to approver, revealing critical details that shaped the course of the trial.

Mamun’s appeal marks a significant development in the aftermath of the tribunal’s ruling. Legal analysts suggest that the appeal could prolong the judicial process, drawing national attention once again to the tribunal’s handling of one of the most controversial cases in recent years. The ex-IGP’s move underscores the delicate interplay between cooperation with the court and personal legal risk.

Observers note that Mamun’s defence may argue procedural errors or mitigating circumstances that were not fully considered during sentencing. Meanwhile, human rights advocates continue to debate the broader implications of the tribunal’s verdict, particularly regarding accountability for public officials during periods of civil unrest.

This appeal is expected to be scrutinised closely, as it could set precedents for other state witnesses who have faced sentences despite assisting the prosecution. The coming months are likely to see intense courtroom proceedings, with national media and international observers closely monitoring each development.