Kushtia killings: Charges framed, trial ordered against Hanif, Inu and 3 others
All accused in this particular case of the same incident are currently absconding, and to represent them, the court has appointed defence lawyers by the state
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 ordered the commencement of trial proceedings today (2 November) against five individuals, including Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) President Hasanul Huq Inu, in separate crimes against humanity cases filed over killings that occurred in Kushtia during the July Uprising.
The order was passed by ICT-2 Chairman Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
The tribunal also set 25 November for recording the opening statement and the beginning of testimony in a specific case against Mahbubul Alam Hanif while the Jasad president's recording date has been set for 30 November.
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Today, when Inu was presented before the court, the tribunal read out the eight charges brought against him. At one point, the tribunal asked Inu whether he was guilty or innocent. To which, Inu claimed to be completely innocent.
Later, the tribunal framed charges against him.
The other accused in the case against Hanif are Kushtia Zila Parishad Chairman and District Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Azgar Ali, and Sadar Upazila Chairman Ataur Rahman Ata.
All accused in this particular case of the same incident are currently absconding, and to represent them, the court has appointed defence lawyers by the state.
The judicial process against the accused stems from the July Uprising last year, which tragically resulted in seven 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. ICT Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim had confirmed the submission of the 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.
