Pro-AL lawyers protest ICT verdict

The Awami League-affiliated lawyers have staged a silent protest at the Supreme Court against the death sentences handed to seven persons, including AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, in a case over crimes against humanity during the July Uprising.

They gathered outside the Advocate Lounge in the Supreme Court’s Annex Building around 1:30pm on Tuesday to protest the 
verdict.

There were no collective slogans, although some of the lawyers were heard saying “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”.

Protesting lawyer Sheikh Golam Kibria told bdnews24.com that they had gathered to reject the verdict delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

He said they had gathered in protest against the death sentences handed to leaders of the Awami League, Bangladesh Awami Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League, calling it an "immediate response" to the tribunal's verdict.

Questioning the trial process, Kibria called the tribunal a "kangaroo court" and alleged that it was backed by the government and that the proceedings were not being conducted in good faith.

He also accused the tribunal of delivering a politically motivated verdict against party leaders and activists in what he called false cases, saying the protesters rejected the ruling.
Earlier in the day, ICT-2 delivered its verdict against seven accused, including Quader.

Each faced four charges and received death sentences and life imprisonment on different counts.

The tribunal also ordered 50 percent of each convict's movable and immovable assets to be confiscated in favour of the state and sold through the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation or a statutory body, with the proceeds distributed among the families of those killed and injured in the Uprising.
    �"bdnews24