The International Crimes Tribunal will deliver its verdict on Tuesday in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of protesters in the capital’s Chankharpul area during the July mass uprising centred on the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The verdict proceedings will be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV).
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed the matter on Monday, saying the verdict will be the second to be announced by the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal.
According to Tamim, Tribunal-1 will deliver the verdict against eight accused, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, on January 20. The entire proceedings will be aired live on BTV.
Earlier, January 20 was fixed for the verdict following the conclusion of arguments by both the prosecution and the defence. On December 24, a three-member bench of Tribunal-1, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, set the date.
During the hearing, lawyer Md Ziaur Rashid argued on behalf of accused Imaz Hossain Emon, while state defence counsel Qutubuddin Ahmed presented arguments for four absconding accused. Prosecutor Mizanul Islam delivered the prosecution’s rebuttal, with prosecutors Shahidul Islam, Abdullah Al Noman and others also present.
The accused facing trial include former Shahbagh police station inspector (operations) Md Arshad Hossain, constable Md Sujan Mia, Md Imaz Hossain Emon and Md Nasirul Islam. The absconding accused are former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former DMP joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former Ramna region additional deputy commissioner Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam and former Ramna region assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul.
On July 14, the tribunal framed charges against the eight accused and ordered the commencement of the trial.
According to the case documents, police opened fire on a peaceful student movement in the Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024. Several people were killed in the incident, including Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Junaid, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Howlader, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Mia Shahrik, along with many others who were injured.