Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun who became a state witness in the case over crimes against humanity committed during the July-August movement was brought to the International Crimes Tribunal today. The two other accused in the case, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, remain fugitives. The tribunal is set to deliver the verdict in their absence.The verdict will be announced after 11:00 AM on Monday by a three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. The other two judges on the panel are Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Justice Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.At around 9:10 AM, police brought Al-Mamun to the tribunal in a prison van under tight security. This is the last time he will be produced before the tribunal in this case. While Hasina and Kamal remain absconding, the former IGP has been in prison for nearly a year. As a state witness, he has already given his deposition before the tribunal. For this reason, prosecutors have left his punishment entirely to the discretion of the tribunal, while seeking the maximum penalty for Sheikh Hasina and Kamal.Meanwhile, heavy security measures have been implemented around the tribunal and the Supreme Court areas ahead of the verdict. Along with police, RAB, APBn and BGB, the army has also been deployed. Intelligence agencies are on high alert as well. Since Sunday evening, law enforcement agencies have blocked traffic on the road from Doel Chattar toward Shikkha Bhaban, restricting public movement.On 13 November, the tribunal fixed today’s date for announcing the verdict. Over 28 working days, testimonies and cross-examinations of 54 witnesses were completed. The prosecution and state defence then presented arguments and counterarguments over nine sessions. On 23 October, following the concluding remarks of Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman as well as rebuttals from Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and state-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain, the tribunal set time to schedule the verdict.During arguments, the prosecution sought the maximum punishment for Sheikh Hasina and Kamal. As for Abdullah Al-Mamun, his role as a state witness prompted prosecutors to leave the decision to the tribunal. His lawyer, Zayed Bin Amjad, has sought his acquittal. State-appointed lawyer Amir Hossain, however, believes that Hasina and Kamal may also be eligible for acquittal.The prosecution has brought five charges of crimes against humanity against the three accused, including instigation, use of lethal weapons, the killing of Abu Saeed, the murder incident in Chankharpul, and the burning of bodies in Ashulia. The formal charge sheet comprises 8,747 pages: 2,018 pages of sources, 4,005 pages of seizure lists and documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages detailing the list of martyrs. A total of 84 witnesses were included in the case. The investigation agency submitted its report to the Chief Prosecutor on 12 May.