Senior ministers and policymakers in Sheikh Hasina's government allegedly conspired to suppress the July 2024 uprising through lethal force, armed party cadres and a nationwide shoot-at-sight order, prosecutors told the International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday.
The prosecution alleged that the crackdown was planned at high-level government and 14-party alliance meetings, with senior Awami League leaders directing law enforcement agencies and mobilising party activists to crush the student-led protests.
The allegations were presented during a hearing on formal charges against seven former ministers and senior officials, including Awami League presidium member Amir Hossain Amu, over crimes against humanity committed during the July–August uprising.
International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, took cognizance of the charges, ordered six detained accused to be produced before it and issued an arrest warrant against former lawmaker Mirza Azam.
The other members of the three-judge panel are Md Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented the allegations, assisted by prosecutors Faruk Ahmad, Marzina Raihan, Shahidul Islam Sardar and others.
He urged the tribunal to accept the charges on prima facie grounds and sought production warrants for the six detained accused.
According to the prosecution, the government and ruling Awami League decided to suppress the quota reform movement soon after students began peaceful demonstrations on July 1, 2024.
Senior policymakers allegedly instructed law enforcement agencies to adopt a hard-line approach.
The prosecution said Hasina authorised the use of lethal weapons and helicopters, while senior Awami League and 14-party alliance leaders coordinated the crackdown through government meetings and political directives.
Among those named in the prosecution's account were Amu, then Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former ministers Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Dipu Moni and Muhammad Faruk Khan, party leader Mirza Azam and former energy adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury.
The prosecution also cited the nationwide internet shutdown on the night of July 18 as part of the government's response to the protests.
Following widespread deaths on July 18 and 19, a meeting of the 14-party alliance was held under Hasina's leadership on July 19.
Prosecutors alleged that Quader, Amu, Dipu Moni, Hasanul Haq Inu, Rashed Khan Menon and other senior leaders decided to impose a nationwide curfew and authorise shooting on sight during curfew hours.
The decision was subsequently announced at a press conference and implemented across the country, according to the prosecution.
Prosecutors alleged that the purpose was to kill protesters who remained on the streets.
The prosecution also accused Hasina and senior government figures of attempting to undermine the movement by portraying protesters as BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami supporters, terrorists and militants.
It cited remarks describing protesters as “children of Razakars” and “grandchildren of Razakars” as part of an effort to discredit the demonstrations.
According to the prosecution, a July 29 meeting finalised the decision to ban Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Prosecutors alleged that the move was intended to facilitate the arrest of protesting students by falsely identifying them as Jamaat-Shibir activists.
The government formally banned the organisations through a notification issued on August 1.
The prosecution claimed that students were subsequently targeted with fabricated cases, detention and physical and psychological abuse.
The prosecution alleged that senior Awami League leaders also arranged substantial funding to deploy armed party cadres against protesters.
According to the case documents, Quader and Mirza Azam directed the mobilisation of cadres at ward level, while Amu collected and distributed funds through the party's organisational network.
Prosecutors cited the recovery of approximately 5 crore taka in cash during a search of Amu's residence on the night following August 5.
They alleged that the money had been reserved for armed party activists involved in suppressing the protests. The stated purpose of the recovered cash remains a prosecution allegation.
At a July 17 meeting at the Dhaka district Awami League office, Quader, Razzaque, Shajahan Khan and Mirza Azam allegedly instructed party leaders to organise ward-level resistance against demonstrators.
The prosecution further alleged that security meetings at Ganabhaban on August 4 and 5 produced a final plan to prevent the protesters' “March to Dhaka” programme through coordinated police and military action.
The crackdown continued despite mounting casualties, prosecutors said.
The prosecution outlined specific allegations against the seven accused.
Amu and Razzaque allegedly helped coordinate the political response, secure financing and encourage harsh action against demonstrators.
Shajahan Khan was accused of mobilising party activists in Madaripur and Dhaka. Prosecutors cited the deaths of several protesters, including student Dipta De, in his parliamentary constituency.
Dipu Moni and Mirza Azam allegedly facilitated the deployment of party cadres and distribution of funds in Chandpur, Mirpur and other areas.
Muhammad Faruk Khan and Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury were accused of participating in high-level security meetings where decisions were allegedly made to use maximum force and coordinate law enforcement operations.
The prosecution attributed more than 1,800 deaths and over 25,000 serious injuries to the alleged coordinated crackdown.
It cited shootings in Gazipur, Uttara, Mirpur, Chattogram and Madaripur, among other locations.
Some injured protesters were allegedly attacked by party cadres while receiving hospital treatment.
The casualty figures and allegations of individual responsibility were presented by the prosecution and have not been established as judicial findings in this case.
The seven accused are Amu, Mirza Azam, former shipping minister Shajahan Khan, former civil aviation and tourism minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque, former energy adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and former minister Dipu Moni.
All except Mirza Azam are currently in prison.
The tribunal ordered the six detained accused to be produced before it and issued an arrest warrant for Azam.
Thursday's hearing marked a further step in the proceedings over the former government's response to the July–August uprising.
The prosecution's case rests on allegations that the violence was not merely the result of isolated actions by security personnel or party activists, but part of a coordinated policy involving senior political leaders.
The tribunal has yet to determine the accused individuals' criminal responsibility.
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