July killings in Narayanganj: ICT accepts charges against Shamim Osman, 11 others, issues arrest warrant

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has issued arrest warrants against 12 individuals, including former Awami League MP Shamim Osman, after taking cognisance of formal charges in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed in Narayanganj during the July Uprising of 2024.

The three-member ICT-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued the order this morning (19 January).

Apart from Shamim, who was the Narayanganj-4 MP, his son Imtinan Osman Ayan, also known as Ayan Osman, has been named as an accused in the case.

The charges were filed this morning with the ICT-1 registrar, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed.

Speaking to reporters, Tamim said that widespread killings took place in Narayanganj during the uprising in July-August of 2024, similar to other parts of the country. On 19 and 21 July and on 5 August, 10 people were killed in the Fatullah-Signboard area of Narayanganj. In connection with these incidents, three charges of crimes against humanity were levelled against the accused.

The prosecutor presented these charges before the tribunal and simultaneously applied for the tribunal to take cognisance of them. Subsequently, the tribunal accepted the charges and issued arrest warrants.

At the same time, it also ordered that the 12 accused be arrested and produced before the tribunal on 26 January.

According to the prosecution, Narayanganj witnessed the highest number of killings during the July-August uprising. The accused were armed members of the Awami League and its affiliate organisation, Jubo League, who were involved in the violence.

Cases were filed against them on charges of crimes against humanity following the incidents. Arrest warrants have already been issued against the accused, the prosecution said, adding that their names have not been disclosed in the interest of arrest.