Kushtia July uprising killings: Verdict any day for Hanif, 3 others in crimes against humanity case
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 completed the trial of four fugitives, including banned Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif, in a crimes against humanity case over the deaths of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising.
The tribunal kept the case awaiting verdict (CAV) on Wednesday, after arguments and rebuttals from both sides concluded, meaning the verdict can be delivered on any day.
State-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain presented arguments on behalf of the accused before the prosecution made its rebuttal. The tribunal then kept the case pending for judgment.
The other accused are Kushtia district Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Azgar Ali and city Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata. All four are absconding.
According to the prosecution, the accused face three charges, including the killing of six people in Kushtia city during the July uprising. An investigation report accused them of ordering and directly participating in attacks on students and members of the public in Kushtia.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the trial proceedings against Hanif had previously been completed, but the prosecution later submitted additional evidence, leading to further arguments.
“We submitted some additional evidence, on which arguments were presented today. After the arguments, we sought the maximum punishment for all four accused, including Hanif,” he said.
Tamim said the Awami League had taken a political decision to suppress the July uprising and that the government had also decided to suppress the movement.
“As part of the government and as the joint general secretary of the Awami League, he carried out and accepted that decision and implemented it through his subordinates,” he said.
He alleged that Hanif, as a civilian political leader, issued orders to his subordinates and communicated with them by telephone to implement those orders.
Referring to previous tribunal verdicts, Tamim said the tribunal had already handed down the maximum punishment to Awami League leaders above Hanif or holding comparable positions, including Joint General Secretary Bahauddin Nasim, then General Secretary Obaidul Quader and party chief Sheikh Hasina.
“The people above him and alongside him have already been convicted by the tribunal for these offences. Therefore, we have prayed that the tribunal impose the same punishment on Hanif, as the charges against him have also been proved in the same manner,” he said.
The testimony of 19 witnesses was completed on April 23 following the cross-examination of the investigation officer. However, the prosecution’s submission of additional evidence led to the arguments being heard again.
The tribunal ordered the trial to begin against the four accused on November 2 last year after framing formal charges against them. The prosecution had submitted the formal charges on October 5, which the tribunal took into cognisance the following day.