ICT sets 11 May for final stage of arguments on six July Uprising killings in Kushtia 

The International Crimes Tribunal has set 11 May for the final stage of arguments in a case involving the killing of six people in Kushtia during July Uprising accusing four individuals, including Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif.

The Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, fixed the date today (23 April) following the completion of the testimony of the final witness and the investigation officer in the case.

A total of 19 witnesses, including the investigation officer, have testified in the case.

However, their statements were recorded in the absence of the accused, who remain absconding.

Apart from Hanif, the other accused are Kushtia District Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, District General Secretary Azgar Ali, and City Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata.

The Tribunal-2 ordered the commencement of the trial against Hanif and the three others on 2 November last year. Formal charges were taken into cognisance on 6 October, while the prosecution submitted the charges on 5 October.

Three specific allegations have been brought, including incitement, conspiracy, and the killing of six people in Kushtia.

The judicial process against the accused stems from the July Uprising last year, which tragically resulted in six deaths and several injuries in Kushtia.

ICT-2 had previously taken formal acceptance of the charges in the separate case against Hasanul Huq Inu on 25 September. The prosecution filed a 39-page formal charge against Inu, detailing eight charges of crimes against humanity, along with a list of 20 prosecution witnesses and three audio and six video recordings as evidence.

Inu was arrested on 26 August last year from Dhaka's Uttara area and has since remained in jail in connection with several cases. Earlier, the ICT had ordered his arrest and detention in the crimes against humanity case.