Prosecution seeks maximum punishment for Hanif, three others over Kushtia killings

The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment for Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif and three others in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July Uprising.

The prosecution concluded its arguments before International Crimes Tribunal-2 today (5 October). The tribunal fixed 7 October for the defence to present its arguments.

The other accused are Kushtia district Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Azgar Ali and Kushtia city Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata. All four accused are absconding.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the prosecution seeks the maximum punishment for all four after submitting additional evidence.

"We have concluded the prosecution's arguments today. We have sought the maximum punishment for all four accused," he said.

Tamim alleged that Hanif supported government decisions to suppress the July uprising and helped implement them through his subordinates.

"He was a civilian leader. He implemented these decisions by instructing his subordinates and through telephone conversations," the prosecutor said.

Tamim said the tribunal has already handed down the maximum punishment to former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, party General Secretary Obaidul Quader and Joint General Secretary Bahauddin Nasim in the same case.

"We expect the tribunal to impose the same punishment on Mahbubul Alam Hanif, as he was in the same position," he said.

The prosecutor also alleged that Hanif took part in party decision-making, attended meetings chaired by Obaidul Quader and supported the decisions taken there.

He further alleged that Hanif gave instructions over the phone to the Kushtia superintendent of police, district and upazila chairmen, and Awami League leaders and activists to carry out the killings.

The prosecution submitted recordings of the alleged telephone conversations to the tribunal, Tamim said.

Earlier, on 10 June, Tribunal-2 kept the case awaiting judgement after concluding arguments and rebuttals from both sides.

The tribunal completed recording the testimony of 19 witnesses on 23 April following the cross-examination of the investigating officer. The prosecution later submitted additional evidence, leading to a fresh round of arguments.

The tribunal ordered the trial to begin after framing formal charges against the four accused on 2 November last year.

The charges include making inflammatory statements, conspiracy and the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July Uprising.