Testimony ends against Quader, six others

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) has concluded witness testimony in the crimes against humanity case filed over the July mass uprising against seven senior leaders of the now-banned Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League, including former Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

The tribunal has set August 4 for closing arguments.

The date was fixed on Sunday by a three-member bench of ICT-2 headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with Justices Md Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members.

On the day, Investigation Officer Ahmed Naser Uddin Mohammad, the 27th prosecution witness, was cross-examined by state defence lawyers Lokman Howlader and Ishrat Jahan.

Following the cross-examination, the tribunal scheduled the case for final arguments.

The prosecution was represented by Prosecutor Faruk Ahmad, assisted by Prosecutor Moinul Karim and others.

Earlier, on July 26, journalist Ashraf Kaiser testified before the tribunal, describing the July uprising and the political situation during the Awami League’s years in power.

Although the first phase of witness testimony ended on April 27, and the case was initially set for closing arguments, the tribunal later allowed the prosecution’s request to record additional testimony from Ashraf Kaiser. The investigation officer was also recalled to testify.

The other accused are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad Arafat, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Saddam Hossain, and Wali Asif Inan. All seven accused are currently absconding.

The tribunal formally began the trial after framing charges against the accused on January 22, following its acceptance of the prosecution’s formal charges on December 18 last year.

According to the prosecution, the accused coordinated instructions, incited violence, and made provocative statements to suppress the July-August movement.

They allegedly mobilized party activists, planned violent crackdowns, encouraged armed attacks, and played roles in media suppression, actions that the prosecution says led to killings, attempted murders, and widespread violence across the country, constituting crimes against humanity.