Crimes against humanity during July uprising: Prosecution seeks death penalty for Quader, 6 others

The prosecution on Wednesday sought the maximum punishment, including the death penalty, for former Bangladesh Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other accused in a case over crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.

On the final day of closing arguments in the case at the International Crimes Tribunal, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam described Quader as a “political joker” and “political clown” while presenting the prosecution’s arguments.

He alleged that Quader acted as an irresponsible entertainer under the guise of a politician and said he was widely known to the public as a “TikToker”.

The prosecution argued that whenever the Awami League came to power, its leaders considered themselves “first-class” citizens while treating the rest of the population as “second-class” citizens.

It said the alleged arrogance and irresponsible actions of leaders such as Quader ultimately contributed to the deaths of more than 1,400 people and left thousands injured or disabled during the July-August uprising of 2024.

Referring to all seven accused as criminals and corrupt individuals, Aminul said the personal liability and “superior command responsibility” of each accused for the alleged genocide and crimes against humanity had been fully established.

“We want such criminal politicians never to return to Bangladesh. Exemplary punishment should be handed down so that no one dares to commit such crimes in the name of politics in the future,” he said.

After the hearing, the chief prosecutor said the prosecution has been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt all four specific charges brought against the accused.

He said the prosecution therefore sought the maximum punishment for all seven accused without showing any leniency.

All seven accused are currently absconding. The other six are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, joint general secretary of the Awami League; Mohammad Ali Arafat, former state minister for information and broadcasting; Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, president of Jubo League; Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, general secretary of Jubo League; Saddam Hossain, president of Bangladesh Chhatra League; and Wali Asif Enan, general secretary of Chhatra League.

Tribunal-2 framed charges against the accused on January 22 this year and ordered the trial to begin.

The prosecution concluded the examination of witnesses on August 2. A total of 29 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified in the case. Of them, 28 appeared before the tribunal in person, while the tribunal accepted the testimony of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi.