Witness testimony to be recorded in case against Mahbubul Alam Hanif, 3 others on 8 December

The International Crimes Tribunal has set 8 December to record witness testimony against Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, along with 3 other fugitives, in the crime against humanity case over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the anti-discrimination student–public movement.

Earlier, the prosecution completed presenting its opening statement as part of the initiation of the testimony process.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, set the date after the prosecution finished presenting its opening statement today (25 November).

In the opening statement, the prosecution presented the background of the case along with various important details. On 2 November this year, ICT-2 filed formal charges against Hanif and three others and ordered the commencement of the trial.

Besides Hanif, the other three accused are Kushtia District Awami League President Sadruddin Khan, District General Secretary Azgar Ali, and Kushtia City Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata.

On 2 November, the three charges brought against the four accused were read out, the day the trial was ordered to begin. Representing the prosecution before the tribunal were Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, Prosecutor Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar, and Prosecutor Abdus Sattar Palowan.

On 28 October, state-appointed lawyer Md Amir Hossain read out the charges on behalf of the four absconding accused, including Hanif. At the outset, he criticised the background presented by the prosecution in the formal charges. He then read out the three specific charges and petitioned for the acquittal of the accused.

On 27 October, the prosecution had concluded its hearing on the matter.

On 23 October, Hanif and three others were supposed to be presented before the tribunal through arrest. However, as they remained absconding, Tribunal-2 appointed state defence lawyers to represent them.

On 14 October, the tribunal had ordered the four to appear, and when they failed to do so, the court directed that notices be published in two national newspapers for their arrest.

The tribunal formally received the charges on 6 October and simultaneously issued arrest warrants. The prosecution had submitted the formal charges against them on the day before, which included three specific allegations: making incendiary statements, conspiracy, and the killing of six people in Kushtia.

During the July–August movement, gunshot was opened on students and the public at various locations in Kushtia town until 5 August 2024. Those killed in the shootings include worker Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, student Abdullah Al Mustakin, Usama, businessman Bablu Farazi, and service holder Yusuf Sheikh. Many innocent people were also injured.

Following these incidents, a case was filed against the four accused at the International Crimes Tribunal. Later, officials from the investigative agency submitted their investigation report.