The prosecution has concluded its arguments against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and seven other senior leaders of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League in the July crimes against humanity case at the International Crimes Tribunal.
A three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, concluded the arguments on Wednesday.
Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam and Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented the arguments for the prosecution. Lawyers Lokman Howlader and Ishrat Jahan are representing the accused as state-appointed defence counsel.
Journalist Ashraf Kaiser testified before the tribunal on July 26. In his testimony, he described the Awami League's long rule and the July mass uprising.
The first round of testimony in the case concluded on April 27, after which a date was set for arguments. However, the prosecution later sought to record Ashraf Kaiser's testimony, and the tribunal allowed the application. The investigation officer subsequently testified again.
Besides Obaidul Quader, the other accused 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 and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; and Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Wali Asif Inan. All the accused are absconding.
On January 22, Tribunal-2 ordered the start of the trial after framing charges against the seven accused. On December 18, 2025, the tribunal took cognizance of the formal charges filed by the prosecution. The prosecution began presenting its arguments in the case on August 4.
According to the prosecution, the accused issued coordinated instructions, incited violence and delivered provocative speeches to suppress the July-August movement. They allegedly planned violence through several meetings and called on leaders and activists to take to the streets to resist the movement.
The prosecution further alleged that the accused played roles in armed attacks, severe repression and media control in several areas, resulting in killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country.
The prosecution argued that these acts constitute crimes against humanity.
