Dhaka, Nov. 17 -- State-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain has said ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's death sentence for crimes against humanity for attempting to suppress the July Uprising has left him "deeply pained".

Amir also represented former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the case tried at the International Crimes Tribunal. Asaduzzaman has also been handed the death penalty by the tribunal.

A three-member ICT-1 bench headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder delivered the verdict on Monday. The two other members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

"I am in pain. I am in pain as my clients have been convicted. They received ...