All seven accused are currently absconding.
Now-banned Awami League and former Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader. Photo: Collected
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Now-banned Awami League and former Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader. Photo: Collected
The prosecution has concluded its arguments in a crimes against humanity case over incidents during the July Movement, seeking the maximum punishment for Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six top leaders of Jubo League and Chhatra League.
Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam presented the arguments today (12 August) before International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
The chief prosecutor told the tribunal that the crimes committed by all seven accused in the case were serious.
“We have been able to prove all four charges brought against them. They are responsible for the killing and injuring of many people during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. They deserve exemplary punishment,” he said.
“We seek the maximum punishment for all seven accused without any leniency, so that such politicians are never born in this country again,” he added.
On the sixth day of the prosecution’s arguments, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim first presented the legal aspects of the case. The chief prosecutor then continued with the arguments.
After the prosecution concluded its arguments, state-appointed lawyer M Hasan Imam began presenting arguments on behalf of the absconding accused.
Once the defence concludes its arguments, the tribunal will either keep the case awaiting verdict or fix a date for delivering the judgment.
The prosecution began its arguments in the case on 4 August. On the first day, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented the overall background of the case.
Over five consecutive working days, the prosecution presented various information, evidence and arguments in support of the charges brought against the seven accused, including Obaidul Quader, Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash.
According to the prosecution, the accused coordinated instructions, instigation and provocative statements to suppress the July-August movement.
Several phone conversations were also submitted as evidence of their alleged roles in calling on party leaders and activists to take to the streets to resist the movement, planning violence at various meetings, and involvement in armed attacks and harsh crackdowns in some places.
The prosecution also highlighted the role of several accused in controlling the media.
It said the actions of the accused led to killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country.
Besides Obaidul Quader, the other accused are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Wali Asif Inan.
All seven accused are currently absconding.
The recording of testimony in the case ended on 2 August. A total of 28 prosecution witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified in the case.
On 22 January this year, Tribunal-2 framed charges against the seven accused and ordered the trial to begin.
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