The International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday issued arrest warrants against 34 people, including former Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killings in Rajshahi during the 2024 July Uprising.
A three-member bench of the tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, passed the order after taking cognisance of the formal charges against 38 individuals, Prosecutor SM Moinul Karim confirmed.
The case concerns the alleged killing of two protesters, Raihan Ali and Anjum Sakib, and several others seriously injured during that period.
The four accused already in custody are former MP Md Asaduzzaman Asad, Dablu Sarkar, Zahirul Islam Rubel and Mohaiminul Islam Manik. The tribunal also ordered the accused to be produced before it.
The next hearing has been scheduled for 17 September.
Prosecutor Zahirul Amin argued for the prosecution, assisted by prosecutors Faruk Ahmad, Moinul Karim, Marjina Raihan, Shahidul Islam Sardar and Tarek Abdullah.
Earlier, on July 31, the prosecution had filed the charges before the International Crimes Tribunal.
According to the case, on August 5, 2024, a protester named Raihan Ali was shot dead in front of Labong Restaurant opposite Shekherchak Swachh Tower in Boalia police station area of Rajshahi city. At the same time, another protester named Anjum Sakib was killed in front of Shah Makhdum College. Besides, at least 45 protesters, including Salman alias Shimul, were seriously injured.
The charges further stated that the incidents took place in and around the areas of Shekherchak Swachh Tower, in front of Shah Makhdum College, the Padma River embankment and Alupotti intersection. The incidents constitute crimes against humanity under the International Crimes Act and are punishable under the law.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented details of the allegations and showed three videos to the tribunal. The videos allegedly showed several of the accused firing weapons.
The prosecution then sought to have the tribunal take cognisance of the charges on the basis of a prima facie case, along with arrest warrants for the absconding accused and production warrants for those already detained.