Prosecution pleads tribunal to indict Qamrul, Menon in crimes against humanity case
The tribunal fixed 11 March to hear defence discharge pleas.
The prosecution has formally pleaded to the International Crimes Tribunal-1 to frame charges and start the trial against Awami League Praesidium member Qamrul Islam and Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon in a case over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising of 2024.
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam placed the plea today (2 March) before International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.
He presented three charges against the two accused and requested the tribunal to proceed with formal charge framing.
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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 shootings of demonstrators in several areas, including Badda in the capital.
The tribunal fixed 11 March to hear defence petitions seeking discharge from the charges after defence counsel Monsurul Haque Chowdhury sought time.
Prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Gazi MH Tamim, SM Moynul Karim and Abdus Sattar Palwan were present at the hearing.
Earlier in the day, Qamrul and Menon were produced before the tribunal from prison. 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 from Uttara in the capital on 18 November the same year. Both have remained in jail in multiple cases since their arrests.
