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Published : 14 May 2026, 05:16 PM
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has concluded the hearing of closing arguments in the case against Hasanul Haq Inu, president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, over crimes against humanity and killings during the July Uprising.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, placed the case on the list for verdict delivery on any given day after both the prosecution and defence finished their arguments on Thursday.
Inu, a key ally in the ousted Awami League-led 14-Party Alliance, faces eight specific charges, including the murder of seven individuals in Kushtia during the student-led movement.
Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam told reporters that the prosecution has sought the maximum penalty, citing Inu's "superior command responsibility" and involvement in a "criminal conspiracy".
The prosecution presented leaked phone conversations between Inu and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina dated Jul 19 and Aug 4 as primary evidence.
"The conversations reveal discussions on imposing curfews, using the 'militancy card' to divide the movement, and giving specific directives to police in Kushtia," Islam said.
"He did not deny the conversations, which clearly show a plan to suppress the public through indiscriminate fire."
The prosecution submitted testimonies from nine witnesses alongside newspaper clippings and television footage to bolster their claim that Inu viewed the public as "terrorists" and supported the lethal crackdown.
Inu’s counsel Sifat Mahmud Shuvo argued that the prosecution "miserably failed" to prove the charges, claiming his client held no constitutional or administrative post during the uprising.
Defending the phone records, Shuvo described them as Inu’s "primary defence" rather than evidence of guilt.
"In those calls, Inu urged for protesters to return home safely and advised against casualties or opening fire," the lawyer claimed.
He further alleged that the uprising involved a "non-international armed conflict" where terrorist groups infiltrated the student movement to engage the state.
Shuvo also accused the prosecution of "distorting history" to target a freedom fighter like Inu while attempting to "glorify anti-liberation forces".
The charges against the former information minister include the killings of labourers Ashraful Islam and Suruj Ali Babu, students Abdullah Al Mustakin and Usama, identified with a single name, businessman Bablu Farazi, and employee Yusuf Sheikh in Kushtia.
Inu was arrested in Dhaka’s Uttara on Aug 26, 2024, following the fall of the Awami League government.
The tribunal formally framed charges against him on Nov 2 last year.
