ICT sets 30 March for charge framing against Qamrul, Menon
They are accused of provoking the use of lethal weapons and supporting the enforcement of curfew against unarmed protesters while serving in senior positions in the Awami League and the 14-party alliance.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has set 30 March for a hearing on charge-framing against former food minister Adv Qamrul Islam and Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon in a case over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising.
ICT-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, fixed the date today (11 March) for pronouncing the order on whether charges should be framed and trial should begin in the crimes against humanity case.
Earlier, a hearing was set for today for the defence in the case. During the hearing, defence lawyer Mansurul Haque Chowdhury sought discharge of the two accused from the charges.
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Meanwhile, on 2 March, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam urged the tribunal to begin a trial against the two leaders.
After hearing both sides, the tribunal fixed 30 March for its order.
The prosecution was represented by Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, along with prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi MH Tamim, among others.
According to the prosecution, Qamrul and Menon allegedly incited violence in an effort to sustain the Sheikh Hasina government.
They are accused of provoking the use of lethal weapons and supporting the enforcement of curfew against unarmed protesters while serving in senior positions in the Awami League and the 14-party alliance.
Prosecutors alleged that their actions led to the shootings of demonstrators in several areas, including Badda in the capital.
On 3 February, the tribunal took cognisance of the formal complaint filed by the prosecution, which includes allegations of crimes against humanity and the killing of 23 people.
Police arrested Menon on 22 August 2024. Qamrul was arrested in Uttara in the capital on 18 November the same year. Both have remained in jail in multiple cases since their arrests.
