National Citizens’ Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam said he may be the final witness in the case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and that the trial will move towards a verdict after his testimony, while urging the interim government to ensure a roadmap so that prosecution of crimes committed during the July uprising and other abuses continues uninterrupted after the election.

Nahid made the remarks after appearing at the International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday to give evidence in a case concerning alleged crimes during the July mass uprising, which names Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun among the accused.

He told reporters that the July uprising involved killings and other crimes, and that tribunals should deliver justice for the atrocities and enforced disappearances that occurred under the Awami League government, the prosecution of these offences will be a long process because many cases remain pending across the country.

Nahid said he had urged the interim government to prepare a roadmap to ensure that trials of crimes committed during the uprising and other abuses proceed without disruption after the elections. Nahid and his party expect all political parties to include such a commitment in their election manifestos.

“After my testimony this case will head towards a verdict,” Nahid told reporters, adding that while this particular case may reach a legal conclusion, many more cases related to killings, torture, persecution and arrests nationwide remain to be tried.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the tribunal’s workings so far, he said he is satisfied with the ongoing process and expects verdicts to follow soon, but stressed that other cases must also be pursued with due importance.

On the issue of bringing back and punishing Sheikh Hasina, Nahid said the government must pursue diplomatic and political channels and build international public opinion, saying it is the moral and legal duty of the government to bring her back and administer justice.