Seven sentenced to death as charges proved beyond doubt: Chief Prosecutor

International Crimes Tribunal (IC) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam on Tuesday said the death sentences were handed down against seven accused, including Obaidul Quader, as the charges against them were proved beyond doubt.

The Chief Prosecutor made the remarks this afternoon while responding to questions from journalists after the death sentences were handed down against seven fugitives, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, in the case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 Mass Uprising.

"Each accused faced four charges in this case, and as most of the charges against them were proved beyond doubt, the tribunal delivered the death sentences. We are grateful for this verdict," he said.

Regarding the accused remaining absconding, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said that as they have now been convicted, if their locations can be identified, effective measures will be taken to arrest them and bring them back to Bangladesh.

Replying a question on confiscation of properties, he said, "We believe that following today's judgment, there will be no further problem in confiscating the properties, taking them under government control, arranging their sale through the statutory body of the July Foundation, and distributing the proceeds among the families of those killed and injured in July."

The chief prosecutor further said the government would implement the judgment. "The government will find out what properties each of them owns, and half of the properties found in their names will be confiscated accordingly," he added.

The Chief Prosecutor further said that there would be a 30-day period for appeal after today's judgment is published.

"Until the expiry of the 30-day period, there may be no scope for confiscating any property or taking any other measures. But after 30 days, there will be no legal impediment to implementing the judgment," he said.

The three-member ICT-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, pronounced the judgment earlier in the day, sentencing Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, AL Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Executive Committee Member Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, to death.

The tribunal ordered confiscation of 50 percent of all movable and immovable properties of Obaidul Quader, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad Ali Arafat, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil.

The tribunal also ordered that appropriate compensation be provided to the persons killed and injured during July-August 2024, or their family members, from the proceeds of the sale of the confiscated properties through the July Foundation or any other statutory organisation.