Nanak told ex-Ctg mayor to portray slain man as AL activist to 'make it an issue': Prosecution

Former textile and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak instructed former Chattogram city mayor AJM Nasir Uddin to portray a person killed during the 2024 July Uprising in Muradpur as an Awami League supporter and "make it an issue" by arranging his funeral accordingly, the prosecution told International Crimes Tribunal-2 today (9 August).

The prosecution submitted a call recording on the third day of closing arguments in the case against seven senior Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders over alleged crimes against humanity during the 2024 July Mass Uprising.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said Nanak called Nasir on 16 July 2024, and Obaidul Quader, then road transport and bridges minister and Awami League general secretary, spoke to Nasir at the beginning of the call.

According to the prosecution, Nasir told them that three people had been killed in clashes in Muradpur, Chattogram. He identified one as a passer-by, another as being from the opposing side and the third as "one of ours".

Nanak then instructed Nasir to hold a funeral for the person who had died "from our side" and "make it an issue", the prosecution said.

Nasir replied that they were trying to do so and that the body had been sent to a medical college. He said they would proceed once the identity was confirmed.

Tamim said the Awami League ultimately failed to turn the death into such an issue because the deceased was not an Awami League member but a participant in the movement.

The party therefore took no further action regarding the body, he added.

During today's hearing, the recording was played before the tribunal. The prosecution said it was a recording of a conversation between Nanak and Nasir, with Quader also speaking to Nasir at the beginning.

The conversation was initially difficult to hear because of background noise, but Quader's voice could be heard addressing Nasir, according to the prosecution.

In the conversation, Quader asked Nasir about the situation in Chattogram. Nasir said clashes had been continuing in Muradpur, while the rest of the city, including the university, remained under their control.

Later, when Nanak asked about the situation, Nasir said three people had died in the clashes, and there had been many injuries on both sides.

Nanak then asked who had died. After Nasir identified the three, Nanak said: "Hold the funeral and such for the one who died from our side. Make it an issue."

Nasir said they were trying to make it an issue and would take action after the body was sent to the medical college and the identity was confirmed.

Nanak repeated the instruction to "make it an issue" and told Nasir to remain alert, saying the other side had "very bad intentions".

Prosecutor Tamim said the prosecution would continue presenting its closing arguments for another two days.

State-appointed lawyers would then begin presenting arguments for the defence.

Besides Quader, the accused are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former information and broadcasting state minister Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain and General Secretary Wali Asif Enan.

All the accused are absconding.