Former law minister Anisul Huq and ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's private industry and investment adviser, Salman F Rahman, were seen laughing after listening to their alleged telephone conversations during a hearing at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday.
During the hearing, the prosecution prayed the tribunal to start trial proceedings by framing charges against them in a case of crimes against humanity, including inciting genocide through the imposition of a curfew during the July uprising.
The prosecution brought charges against them, including inciting the killing of students and members of the public during the July mass uprising by enforcing a curfew.
The call records, played in open court, reportedly contained discussions about suppressing the student movement in July 2024, including references to "finishing off" protesters and repeatedly urging the imposition of a curfew.
Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam represented the prosecution, while prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Faruk Ahmed, Abdus Sattar Palawan, and others were also present.
The chief prosecutor read out five charges against Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq one by one. During the reading of the charges, both accused were seen looking down and smiling.
The chief prosecutor subsequently sought permission to play an audio recording, stating that it directly substantiated the allegations and justified the commencement of the trial.
In the audio clip, Salman F Rahman is allegedly heard discussing the killing of protesters with Anisul Huq as a means of suppressing the movement, while also repeatedly calling for the imposition of a curfew. As the recording was played, Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq were seen laughing quietly and speaking to each other inside the courtroom.
Following the hearing, the chief prosecutor formally submitted an application requesting the tribunal to proceed with the trial.
Earlier, on December 4, the prosecution filed charges against Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq. After preliminary hearings, the tribunal took the charges into cognizance.
