ICT fixes 12 Jan to rule on charges against Salman F Rahman, Anisul Huq over curfew-linked killings
Following the hearing, Salman and Anisul pleaded not guilty and urged the tribunal not to frame charges against them, also seeking acquittal
The International Crimes Tribunal has fixed 12 January for delivering its order on whether charges will be framed against Salman F Rahman, adviser to the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and former law minister Anisul Huq in a crimes against humanity case linked to the anti-discrimination movement today (6 January).
The order will determine whether the trial against the two will proceed.
The case centres on allegations of incitement to mass killings through the imposition of curfews during the movement.
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The date was set by International Crimes Tribunal-1, a three-member bench headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.
During the hearing, senior advocate Mansurul Hoque Chowdhury appeared for the defence, seeking the discharge of both accused from the allegations. Following the hearing, Salman and Anisul pleaded not guilty and urged the tribunal not to frame charges against them, also seeking acquittal.
Earlier in the day, shortly after 10am, police produced the two accused before the tribunal under tight security, transporting them from prison in a prison van.
The prosecution has brought five charges against Salman and Anisul, including allegations of incitement, abetment and conspiracy to use lethal weapons by enforcing curfews.
It alleges that their continued actions resulted in the deaths of numerous students and civilians in Mirpur Sections 1, 2, 10 and 13, during armed attacks involving law enforcement agencies and Awami League activists, while no effective steps were taken to halt the violence.
