Dhaka, April 1 -- Lawyers representing Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have formally challenged the legality of the proceedings brought against her before the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), arguing that the whole process is legally void, as Hasina's very trial and sentencing, which were carried out in absentia, were in direct violation of the fundamental principles of international law, due process and fair trial guarantees.
Presenting a detailed 10-page legal letter, the defence fully rejected the legitimacy of the proceedings, calling it more akin to a propaganda forum used by the former interim govt, and said they do not recognise the ICT's authority as currently constituted, and said they reserve the ri...