Liton, 33 others asked to surrender

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the publication of notices in two national newspapers asking former Rajshahi mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and 33 others to surrender in a case over alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

The tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, issued the order on Thursday (October 1) after prosecutors said law enforcement agencies had failed to locate the 34 accused despite searches at their permanent and temporary addresses.

Prosecutor Zahirul Amin told the tribunal that arrest warrants had been issued against the 34 accused and law enforcement agencies had subsequently submitted non-execution reports. The prosecution then sought permission to publish notices in two national dailies to secure their appearance before the tribunal.

Four other accused in the case—former Rajshahi-3 MP Md Asaduzzaman Asad, Dablu Sarker, Zahirul Islam Rubel and Mohaiminul Islam Manik—were produced before the tribunal from jail on Thursday. The case has 38 accused in total. 

The tribunal fixed October 27 for the next hearing. The formal charges against the 38 accused were filed by the prosecution on July 30 and taken into cognisance by Tribunal-2 on August 18. 

According to the prosecution, two protesters, Rayhan Ali and Anjum Sakib, were killed in separate incidents in Rajshahi on August 5, 2024, while several others were injured. The alleged incidents occurred in areas including Sheikh-er-Chak, near Shah Makhdum College, the Padma river embankment and Alupatti intersection

-AH