Crimes against humanity: Testimony against Salman, Anisul set for 22 Feb

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today (10 February) set 22 February for recording deposition of the prosecution witnesses in a case against Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq for allegedly inciting mass killings and other crimes against humanity by imposing curfew during the 2024 July mass uprising.

The two-member tribunal, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, passed the order as Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam placed opening statement in the case. 

Briefing reporters after the hearing, the chief prosecutor alleged that former law minister Anisul Huq had condoned state terrorism even after taking an oath to uphold the law.

According to the prosecution, evidence gathered during the investigation shows that, following the onset of the July Movement, a blueprint was devised under the leadership of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to suppress the protests. A series of meetings involving senior government figures allegedly led to decisions to crush the movement through mass arrests, torture, and the use of lethal force.

The chief prosecutor said the violence carried out in July and August was pre-planned, systematic, targeted and executed on a large scale. 

"It was the outcome of a criminal network operating in coordination with the state apparatus, political party cadres, law enforcement agencies and administrative structures," he said.

He added that the objective of the alleged crimes was to silence public dissent. 

"This was not an attack on a handful of individuals; it was a direct assault on the aspirations, future and existence of a nation. We will establish this clearly through evidence," he said.

He added that the prosecution plans to present 28 witnesses, including injured victims, eyewitnesses, family members, forensic experts and investigation officers. 

A substantial body of documentary and technical evidence will also be submitted, including seizure lists, expert opinions, books and procedural records, which he said would irrefutably establish the charges.

"The souls of the martyrs are awaiting justice from this court. The injured are seeking recognition of the crimes committed by the state, and the nation as a whole expects that truth and justice will be firmly recorded in the pages of history through the tribunal's verdict," he said.

On 12 January, the tribunal ordered the commencement of trial by framing five charges against Salman and Anisul and fixed today for the opening statement and witness examination. 

On that day, both accused pleaded not guilty and sought justice from the tribunal.

According to the prosecution, Salman and Anisul took key policy decisions to suppress the student-public movement. 

In this context, they reportedly spoke over the phone on 19 July 2024. 

Despite widespread killings of students and members of the public allegedly resulting from their continued conspiracy and instigation, no effective steps were taken to stop the repression.

The prosecution further alleges that incidents including killings in Mirpur on 23 July, the use of lethal weapons in Mirpur-10 on 28 July, the killing of 12 people in Mirpur-1 on 4 August, and the deaths of 16 people in Mirpur-2, Mirpur-10 and Mirpur-13 areas during the "March to Dhaka" programme on 5 August were carried out under their planning and directives.

The tribunal took cognisance of the charges on 4 December last year.