Verdict against Hanif, 3 other banned AL leaders any day

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to deliver its verdict at any time in the case against former Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif and three other party leaders over alleged crimes against humanity for killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising.


The other accused are Sadar Uddin Khan, president of the Kushtia district Awami League; Azgar Ali, its general secretary; and Ataur Rahman Ata, general secretary of the Kushtia city unit.

All four accused are currently on the run.

On October 5, the prosecution completed its closing arguments, seeking the maximum punishment for the four accused. As the accused are absconding, the tribunal had scheduled Wednesday for arguments from the state-appointed defence counsel.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim represented the prosecution during the earlier hearing.

According to the prosecution, proceedings in the case had previously been completed, but the state later submitted additional evidence, prompting further arguments from both sides.

Prosecutor Tamim alleged that Hanif, who served as an Awami League joint general secretary, accepted decisions taken by the then government to suppress the July mass uprising and helped implement those decisions through subordinates.

The prosecution described Hanif as a civilian leader who allegedly facilitated the implementation of orders through subordinates and telephone communications.

With the completion of arguments from both sides, the tribunal has reserved the case for judgment. The date for the verdict has not yet been announced.