Crimes against humanity case: ICT sets 7 May for order on charges against Nanok, Taposh, 26 others
Prosecution cites evidence; defence seeks discharge of accused
International Crimes Tribunal-1 has fixed 7 May to deliver its order on framing charges against 28 people, including former textiles minister Jahangir Kabir Nanok and former Dhaka South mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, in a case over crimes against humanity during the July Uprising in Mohammadpur that left nine people, including student Farhan Faiyaaz, dead.
Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, leading a three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, set the date today (26 April).
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim first presented arguments for the prosecution, seeking to frame charges and start the trial. He presented all three charges and described what happened, when and where on 18 and 19 July 2024.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
He also referred to a phone conversation between deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and then-Dhaka South mayor Taposh. Tamim told the tribunal that video footage shows the presence of other accused.
The prosecutor said the prosecution has sufficient evidence and sought formal charges against all 28 accused in the case. Prosecutors Tarek Abdullah, Abdus Sattar Palwan and Moynul Karim were also present.
Lawyers for the arrested and absconding accused then presented their arguments and sought discharge of the accused from the case.
One defence lawyer, Sifat Mahmud Shubho, said the incident does not fall under crimes against humanity and should be tried under other laws.
After hearing both sides, the tribunal set 7 May to pass its order on framing charges.
The case names 28 accused. Of them, four are in custody – banned Chhatra League's Mohammadpur unit president Naimul Hasan Russell, vice-president Sajjad Hossain, Omar Faruk and Fazle Rabbi. They were brought to the tribunal from jail this morning.
Among the absconding accused are Taposh, former DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, former additional DIG Proloy Kumar Joarder, former DMP joint commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarker and DNCC ward 32 councillor Syed Hasan Noor Islam Raston.
State defence lawyers have been appointed for them.
According to the prosecution, Awami League, its student wing and law enforcement agencies carried out violence during the protests on 18 and 19 July 2024.
They alleged that, under instigation and in the presence of the accused, shots were fired at unarmed students and civilians, killing nine people, including Mahmudur Rahman Saikat and Farhan Faiyaaz, and injuring many others.
