'I am completely innocent': Inu pleads not guilty at crimes against humanity trial
During the proceedings, the tribunal chairman asked Inu to stand up and addressed him directly, "Eight charges have been brought against you. If you plead guilty, our work here is done. Otherwise, we shall commence with the trial"
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) President and former Information minister Hasanul Huq Inu today (2 November) in a crimes against humanity case related to the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July Uprising last year.
ICT-2 has set 30 November for the beginning of testimony in his case.
Before the three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, formally framed the charges, Inu strongly proclaimed his innocence, accusing the prosecution of politically motivated "phantom cases".
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Inu was brought to the dock after 11:30am, and the tribunal proceeded to read out the eight charges of crimes against humanity brought against him by the prosecution.
During the proceedings, the tribunal chairman asked Inu to stand up and addressed him directly, "Eight charges have been brought against you. If you plead guilty, our work here is done. Otherwise, we shall commence with the trial."
In response, Inu pleaded not guilty, stating, "After Almighty Allah, I consider you to be the representative of justice. You will ensure justice. I am innocent. Completely innocent. I am only devastated by the storm of 'phantom cases'."
During the trial, the tribunal confirmed that they had rejected a previous application by Inu and asked him again to state whether he would plead guilty or not, Inu said that he had not fully heard all the charges.
Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam then said the accused will be provided a copy of the formal charges to read.
Inu subsequently sought permission to address the tribunal. The prosecution objected that there was no scope for outside remarks. The Jasad president claimed that the accusations were the result of political vendetta.
"The chief adviser has said twice that 'phantom cases' are happening in the country, and the law adviser has also expressed concern over this issue," Inu said. "I am glad to hear their words. I have 60 cases ongoing against me in the CMM court. The prosecution has now brought phantom allegations to the ICT as well. I am a victim of political malice, struck by the storm of phantom cases… The attorney general had said to forget whatever happened before 5 August [2024]."
The prosecution team at the International Crimes Tribunal consisted of its Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam, Prosecutor Abdus Sobhan Tarafder, and Prosecutor Abdus Sattar Palawan.
Separately, ICT-2 also ordered the start of trial proceedings against Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif and three other individuals on similar charges stemming from the same incident in Kushtia. The trial of Hanif is set to begin on 25 November.
The other co-accused in that case include Kushtia Zila Parishad chairman Sadar Uddin Khan, and Sadar Upazila Chairman Ataur Rahman Ata.
All the accused in this separate case are currently absconding, and the court has appointed state defence lawyers to represent them.
