The International Crimes Tribunal 2 has dismissed a review petition filed by former information minister and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu against the order framing formal charges in a case over crimes against humanity linked to the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July–August Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The two-member panel, led by retired district and sessions judge Md Manjurul Bashid, delivered the order on Sunday. The other member of the tribunal is District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
Advocates Mansurul Haque Chowdhury and Sifat Mahmud represented Inu, while Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam appeared for the state. After hearing both sides, the tribunal dismissed the petition.
On November 27, the chief prosecutor told the tribunal that formal charges had already been approved to begin trial against Inu, but the defence sought a review of that order.
He said the petition claimed the current government lacked the authority to enact laws and described the July Revolution as “so-called.”
The petition also alleged that the government was providing indemnity to various individuals—claims the prosecution dismissed as baseless and tantamount to treason. The tribunal did not issue any order on these remarks.
Inu faces eight charges in the case. During the indictment hearing, he pleaded not guilty. On October 28, his lawyer read part of the charge sheet and sought his acquittal, arguing that none of the allegations were true and requesting the tribunal to scrutinize them thoroughly.
Inu was arrested on August 26, 2024, from Uttara and remains in jail in multiple cases. The JSD leader, who served as information minister in the Awami League government, lost his Kushtia seat in the 12th parliamentary election to a rebel Awami League candidate.
The case alleges that six people were killed and several injured in Kushtia during the July–August 2024 movement. Following the investigation, the probe agency submitted its report, after which the prosecution filed the formal charges.