State-appointed counsel for Sheikh Hasina, Amir Hossain, has expressed hope that his client will be acquitted in the case filed over the July–August killings.

Speaking to reporters on Monday at the International Crimes Tribunal premises, Amir said, “I hope my client Sheikh Hasina will be acquitted. This is my hope, my expectation. Naturally, I can have such expectations. I’m saying this from the heart.”

He added, “I have handled this case for months for one person. If she is acquitted, who would be happier than me?”

When asked about communication with Sheikh Hasina, the lawyer replied, “I did not try to contact her, and there is no legal scope to do so. She also made no attempt to contact me or offer any assistance.”

“Even if there had been any indirect support, it would have benefited me. But no one did anything, and legally there is no provision for that,” he said.

Amir Hossain refused to comment on questions about former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

“He is not my client. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to say anything about him. Why should I speak for someone who is not my client? It wouldn’t be proper,” he noted.

Expressing satisfaction with the trial proceedings, Amir Hossain said the judicial process was fair, regardless of what the verdict may ultimately be.