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The International Crimes Tribunal has found all four charges of crimes against humanity brought against each of the seven accused proven beyond doubt and sentenced them to death for their roles in the July 2024 mass uprising.
A three-member tribunal led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury handed down the verdict on Tuesday, sentencing Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other leaders of the party to death.
The other convicts are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim; former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat; banned Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; and banned Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
All seven accused were absconding during the trial. The tribunal appointed state lawyers to represent them and safeguard their legal rights.
This is the seventh verdict delivered by the tribunal in cases related to the July 2024 uprising. Former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in the same case in November last year.
According to evidence presented before the tribunal, Quader directly instructed then Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain over the phone on July 11, 2024, to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement. He also allegedly supported and incited violence by attending a press conference by then prime minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on July 14.
The following day, Quader reportedly urged Chhatra League leaders and activists to resist the protesters, referring to them as “self-proclaimed Razakars”. On July 15, Wali Asif Enan also allegedly instructed activists to thwart the students’ movement.
The tribunal said Nasim supported and incited the commission of crimes by attending the July 14 press conference. On July 15, armed members of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League allegedly attacked students at Dhaka University in coordination with law enforcement agencies. Around 300 students were injured at the university, while many others were injured across the country.
Quader also allegedly instructed then state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak to slow down internet services to suppress the movement.
On July 16, he reportedly instructed former Chattogram city mayor AJM Nasir Uddin to maintain control over Chattogram University and areas across the city. Following the instruction, Awami League activists allegedly shot dead Mohammad Wasim, Faisal Ahmed Shanto and Md Faruk in the Muradpur area under Chandgaon police station.
On July 19, after a meeting with leaders of the Awami League and the 14-party alliance at Ganabhaban, Quader allegedly ordered a “shoot-at-sight” policy.
The prosecution also alleged that Quader instructed then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, law minister Anisul Huq, Mohammad Ali Arafat and then DB chief Harun-or-Rashid over the phone to carry out abductions, enforced disappearances, killings and torture.
The tribunal heard that killings took place in several parts of the country following such directives. On August 4, 2024, 12 people, including Shahriar Hasan Alvi, Miraj Farazi and Mohiuddin, were allegedly killed in Mirpur, while seven people, including Ishtiaq Ahmed, were killed in Feni’s Mohipal and four, including Saad-Al Afnan, were killed in Lakshmipur.
On August 5, 20 people, including Mahfuzul Alam, were allegedly killed in Mirpur, while numerous protesters were killed elsewhere across the country, including Rajshahi.
The prosecution said Bahauddin Nasim played a key role in implementing the decisions as the Awami League’s joint general secretary.
Former state minister Mohammad Ali Arafat allegedly ordered the suspension of broadcasts by several television channels for 30 minutes on July 18 and 22 and allegedly incited violence by branding protesters as terrorists on August 4.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam said more than 1,400 students and members of the public were killed and over 25,000 seriously injured during the July uprising in attacks allegedly carried out by law enforcement agencies and armed cadres of the Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and the 14-party alliance.
Alongside the death sentences, the tribunal ordered the confiscation of 50% of the movable and immovable assets of five convicts—Obaidul Quader, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad Ali Arafat, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil.
It directed that proceeds from the sale of the confiscated assets be used through the July Foundation or another statutory institution to provide compensation to those killed or injured during the July-August 2024 uprising or their families.
The chief prosecutor said the government would implement the verdict and identify the assets held by the convicts. After the 30-day appeal period expires, the state will be able to locate and confiscate the assets of the fugitives in accordance with the verdict.
He also said statements made by the convicts while they remain fugitives would have no legal validity.
Source: BBC Bangla
