Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasod) President and former information and broadcasting minister Hasanul Haq Inu has appealed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, seeking acquittal from his 10-year prison sentence in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July Uprising.
His lawyer, Sifat Mahmud Shuvo, confirmed the development to journalists on Wednesday.
On October 5, the prosecution at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) appealed to the Appellate Division seeking to enhance Inu’s sentence to death.
On June 30, International Crimes Tribunal-2 sentenced Inu to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty of three of the eight charges brought against him.
The tribunal imposed 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for each of the three charges but ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 10 years in prison.
According to the verdict, charges 3, 6 and 7 were proven against the former minister.
Under charge 3, the tribunal found Inu responsible for the torture and politically motivated persecution of Raisul Haque and others. It sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.
Under charge 6, he was found guilty of conspiracy, incitement and aiding crimes against humanity. The tribunal imposed a 10-year prison term and a fine of Tk1 lakh.
Under charge 7, the tribunal found him guilty of conspiring to commit crimes against humanity and imposed another 10-year prison term and a fine of Tk1 lakh.
All three prison terms will run concurrently.
While Inu is seeking to overturn his conviction and secure acquittal, the prosecution is seeking the death penalty.