Crimes against humanity: ICT sets 4 January for defence hearing in Salman–Anisul case
Their lawyer said he would seek the discharge of Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq that day
The International Crimes Tribunal today (22 December) fixed 4 January for a defence hearing in a case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq over alleged crimes against humanity.
Earlier in the day, the tribunal prosecution completed its hearing on framing formal charges against the two, alleging the imposition of curfew and incitement to mass killings during the anti-discrimination student–public movement.
During the hearing, state lawyers sought the framing of charges against both accused and the commencement of trial proceedings.
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The hearing was held before a two-member Tribunal-1 led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.
Appearing for the prosecution, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam read out the charges brought against Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq. At one stage of the hearing, a recorded phone conversation involving the two accused was played before the tribunal.
The chief prosecutor then separately read out five specific charges and sought the framing of charges against both accused to begin trial proceedings.
On behalf of the accused, senior Supreme Court lawyer Mansurul Hoque Chowdhury sought an additional two weeks to prepare for defence arguments, saying he would move petitions seeking their discharge on 4 January.
The hearing on formal charges was initially scheduled for 17 December but was deferred at the prosecution's request due to other pending cases before the tribunal. Following the petition, the tribunal fixed the hearing for today.
Meanwhile, the defence has sought permission to engage foreign lawyers to represent the two accused. Mansurul Hoque Chowdhury filed the application on 10 December.
Earlier, on 4 December, the prosecution submitted formal charges against Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq. After the prosecution hearing, the tribunal took the charges into cognisance.
According to the prosecution, Anisul Huq and Salman F Rahman held a phone conversation during the July–August student–public movement. At one stage of the call, they allegedly said protesters should be "finished off" during the curfew.
The prosecution claims that following these remarks, students and members of the public were shot dead indiscriminately in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country, arguing that the statement amounted to incitement to killings.
Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq were arrested on 13 August 2024 while attempting to flee and have remained in jail since then, facing multiple cases, including murder charges.
