The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has sentenced seven people, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising in 2024.
A three-member tribunal led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-2, delivered the verdict on Tuesday. The other members are Justice Md Manjurul Basid and Justice Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim of the International Crimes Tribunal confirmed the verdict.
The other six sentenced to death are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim; former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat; Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash; Jubo League General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain; and Chhatra League General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.
All seven accused are fugitives.
Prosecution's allegations
According to the prosecution, law enforcement agencies and armed cadres of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations carried out widespread and systematic attacks, killings and torture against unarmed students and civilians during the uprising.
The prosecution alleged that the accused exercised command and control over these activities and were involved in directing, inciting, abetting or assisting the alleged crimes, or had knowledge of them.
It alleged that Obaidul Quader, then Awami League general secretary and former road transport and bridges minister, directed and instigated attacks carried out by law enforcement agencies and armed cadres of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League.
The prosecution made similar allegations against Bahauddin Nasim, then joint general secretary of the Awami League, and Mohammad Ali Arafat, a leader of the party and former state minister for information and broadcasting, alleging their involvement in directing, inciting, assisting or having knowledge of attacks and killings.
Regarding Jubo League leaders Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, the prosecution alleged that they exercised command and control over armed cadres involved in attacks, killings and torture during the uprising.
The prosecution alleged that Saddam Hussain, then president of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, orchestrated widespread and systematic attacks by armed Chhatra League cadres and other affiliated groups, resulting in the killing and torture of students and civilians.
Similar allegations were brought against Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, then general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, who the prosecution said was involved in organising and directing attacks by armed cadres.
The prosecution has accused the seven of committing crimes against humanity under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, including murder, attempted murder, torture, other inhumane acts, abetment, incitement, conspiracy and involvement in the commission of crimes.
The allegations remain subject to the tribunal's verdict.