Hasina Gets New State-Appointed Lawyer

In a dramatic legal development, the International Crimes Tribunal has revoked the appointment of Aminul Gani Tito as state-appointed defense counsel for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently an absconding accused in a war crimes case related to the July Uprising.

Why Was Aminul Tito Removed?
The tribunal ruled that Tito’s past conduct on social media raised ethical concerns. Specifically, the court cited a social media post dated August 5, 2024, in which Tito had demanded capital punishment for Hasina. When questioned, Tito acknowledged the post but maintained that it was his “personal view” and insisted that he could still defend her professionally.

However, the three-member bench led by Justice Golam Mortoza Majumder disagreed, stating that this represented a clear conflict of interest, and “ethical integrity in the pursuit of justice” was paramount. As a result, his appointment was immediately cancelled.

Who Is the New Lawyer?
The tribunal has now appointed Barrister Amir Hossain as the new state defense lawyer for Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan. Speaking to the media, Amir confirmed he received his appointment letter earlier today and will now represent the two accused in the ongoing tribunal proceedings.

Tribunal Proceedings and Reactions
Earlier in the day, Tito had arrived at the tribunal along with Supreme Court senior lawyer A.Y. Mashiuzzaman, who is serving as amicus curiae (friend of the court). Mashiuzzaman requested two weeks to prepare his brief, but the court granted only one week.

Despite the looming controversy, Tito began his statement by expressing pride in being appointed to defend an accused after 36 years of legal practice, emphasizing his willingness to represent Hasina “legally and professionally.”

But the court was not satisfied. After his admission regarding the controversial post, the tribunal concluded that he could no longer continue due to serious concerns over bias and impartiality.

Background
Tito was originally appointed on June 19 as state defense for Sheikh Hasina and a former Awami League leader from Gaibandha, also charged with crimes against humanity during the 2025 July Uprising. The tribunal had scheduled June 25 for hearing arguments on behalf of the absconding defendants.

The case has drawn widespread attention both in traditional media and on social platforms, where Tito’s prior statements raised immediate alarms over the neutrality of his legal role.

This marks another significant turn in the high-profile case that continues to grip Bangladesh’s political and legal landscape.