International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam on Monday characterised reported statements regarding ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeking a passport as a "political stunt," asserting that she has no genuine intention of returning to the country to face justice.

Speaking to reporters on the tribunal premises in Dhaka, the Chief Prosecutor clarified that the fugitive former prime minister has initiated no formal legal or administrative steps to return to Bangladesh or surrender before the court.

"This is nothing but a political stunt of hers," Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam told journalists, adding that such public declarations aim to confuse the public and divert attention from her status as a convicted fugitive.

The Chief Prosecutor recalled that Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, amidst a mass student-people uprising that toppled her government. She has since remained in India while facing prosecution at the International Crimes Tribunal for atrocities committed during the crackdown on anti-discrimination student movement protesters.

Highlighting the judicial context, Aminul Islam noted that ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, sentenced Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in absentia for crimes against humanity committed during the July–August 2024 uprising.

The tribunal verdict also mandated the complete forfeiture of all personal assets belonging to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, directing that confiscated funds be allocated toward compensating the families of martyrs and providing medical relief to those injured in the movement.

On tribunal proceedings, the Chief Prosecutor cited key testimony from former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned state witness. His full confession provided critical evidentiary proof of command responsibility, resulting in a reduced sentence of five years' imprisonment.

Aminul Islam reiterated that if the deposed leader harboured any legitimate intent to abide by the law, she would pursue established legal and diplomatic channels rather than relying on political rhetoric. He affirmed that the prosecution team continues to pursue all legal avenues to execute the tribunal's judicial directives.