United News of Bangladesh

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has fixed Tuesday to deliver its judgment in a crimes against humanity case filed against seven people, including ex-Awami League  minister Obaidul Quader. A three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, fixed the date through a short order on Monday morning. The other members of the tribunal are Judge Md Manjurul Bashid and Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. Prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim and Faruk Ahammad, along with other members of the prosecution team, represented the state before the tribunal. Apart from 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, Jubo League General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain and General Secretary Wali Asif Inan. All seven accused are currently fugitives. Earlier, Tribunal-2 had kept the judgment pending after concluding arguments on August 17. The testimony phase of the trial ended on August 2, with 29 witnesses, including the investigating officer, testifying for the prosecution. Tribunal-2 framed charges against the seven accused on January 22, formally starting the trial. The tribunal had earlier taken cognisance of the formal charges submitted by the prosecution on December 18 last year. According to the prosecution, the accused issued coordinated orders, made provocative statements and incited their followers in an attempt to suppress the movement during July and August. The prosecution said that they held meetings to plan acts of violence and called on party activists to take to the streets and resist the movement. It further alleged that the accused played roles in orchestrating armed attacks, violent crackdowns and efforts to control the media at different locations. The prosecution claimed that these actions resulted in killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country, constituting crimes against humanity under the law.