ICT grants first-ever bail in July Uprising case
The accused Humayun Kabir is a former chairman of Char Ruhita Union Parishad in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has granted bail for the first time in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising.
The tribunal today (11 January) granted conditional bail to Humayun Kabir, president of the now-activity-banned Awami League's Lakshmipur Sadar upazila unit, who is an accused in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July Uprising.
The bail order was passed after a hearing on Kabir's petition by the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, said ICT Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam.
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The case concerns crimes against humanity committed in Lakshmipur in July 2024. Four people were arrested in connection with the case and are currently in jail. Humayun Kabir is the first among them to be released on bail.
Humayun Kabir is a former chairman of Char Ruhita Union Parishad in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila. Following the ouster of the Awami League from power, he was arrested by law enforcement agencies from Dhaka in August 2024.
During the hearing, Kabir's lawyers sought bail on medical grounds, stating that their client is suffering from liver cirrhosis. They told the tribunal that two of Kabir's brothers had already died from the same disease.
The tribunal sought the prosecution's views on the bail plea. Prosecutor Mizanul said medical reports confirming the serious illness had been submitted, making it difficult for the prosecution to oppose the bail request.
However, he urged the tribunal to ensure that the accused does not communicate with any other accused in crimes against humanity cases.
After hearing both sides, the tribunal granted bail with several conditions. These include providing a permanent residential address, refraining from making any statements to the media or on social media, not changing residence without informing the investigation officer and the tribunal registrar, and not influencing witnesses or evidence.
The tribunal also ruled that if any of the conditions are violated, the investigation officer may immediately arrest the accused. While delivering the order, the tribunal warned that any breach of conditions would result in the bail being permanently revoked.
Following the July Uprising and the fall of the Awami League government, the interim government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal to try crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the crackdown on the anti-discrimination student movement. The reconstituted tribunal began its operations in October 2024.
