The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam said today that he expects exemplary punishment for ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her co-accused over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising.

"On November 17, the court will exercise its discretion and apply its wisdom to deliver justice. Through a fair and proper verdict, this ruling will, Insha'Allah, serve as a precedent for Bangladesh's future - that is the kind of verdict we are expecting," he told reporters at the ICT building entrance.

The chief prosecutor also said that the pledge was clear: whoever commits crimes in Bangladesh - no matter how powerful - if they commit crimes against humanity, they will be brought to justice through due process.

"We prayed for the maximum punishment. The court will exercise its discretion, and we hope the accused are given the highest possible sentence for the crime," he added.

Earlier in the day, ICT-1 set November 17 for pronouncing judgment in the case against Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.