Chowdhury Abdullah Mamun, ex-police chief, pleads guilty to crimes against humanity during the 2024 protests.
Bangladesh’s former Inspector General of Police, Chowdhury Abdullah Mamun, has pleaded guilty to crimes against humanity for his role in the deadly state crackdown on mass protests in mid-2024.
The admission was confirmed on Thursday by Muhammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which is investigating atrocities linked to the now-banned Awami League government.
“He pleaded guilty to crimes against humanity. Mamun will assist the court with all the knowledge he has.”
Muhammad Tajul Islam, ICT Chief Prosecutor
Mamun has now become a cooperating witness in the case, opening the door for broader accountability at the highest levels of Bangladesh’s previous administration.
In the same case, the ICT officially indicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, dismissing a request from their lawyers to have the charges thrown out.
Hasina, who fled Bangladesh by helicopter to India following the collapse of her 15-year rule, is being tried in absentia on five counts: Abetment, Incitement to violence, Conspiracy, Failure to prevent mass murder, Crimes against humanity
She was also found guilty of contempt of court on July 2 and sentenced to six months.
Kamal is also believed to be hiding in India and remains a fugitive.
“The trial is at an initial stage, and there are several other phases.”
Amir Hossain, Hasina’s court-appointed lawyer
According to UN estimates, the July–August 2024 uprising, led mostly by students, left approximately 1,400 people dead after the government launched a violent crackdown.
The ICT has ruled that Sheikh Hasina bears overall command responsibility, citing her role as head of state and commander-in-chief during the bloody suppression.
Given his decision to testify, the court has placed Chowdhury Abdullah Mamun under protective custody to guard against possible retaliation.
This case marks one of the largest post-regime accountability efforts in South Asia, with deep political, legal, and diplomatic consequences still unfolding.
