Published : 17 Aug 2026, 09:31 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:33 AM
The International Crimes Tribunal has kept a crimes against humanity case over incidents during the July Uprising that accuses seven suspects, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, pending a verdict after the conclusion of the trial.
The three-member Tribunal-2 headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury kept the verdict pending on Monday after hearing the closing arguments from the prosecution and defence.
As a result, the tribunal’s prosecutors said the verdict in the case could be announced any day.
The other suspects in the case are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and banned Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.
All seven accused are absconding.
Prosecutor Mizanul Islam presented the case for the state on Monday’s hearing.
He said, “Conspiracy and plans to kill people were made at various state meetings during the student movement. Audio and video evidence has been found that [Quader] had ordered the protesters to be shot on sight. As a result, many people were killed by indiscriminate firing until Aug 5.”
Later, prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim explained the charge of “joint criminal enterprise” and told the court: “Even if one person dies while suppressing the movement, the accused will be considered equally guilty as the ones who gave the orders and planned it.”
A total of seven people, including Quader, have been charged in the case over alleged crimes against humanity committed in attempts to suppress the July Uprising.
The prosecution has alleged that the accused collectively issued instructions, instigated violence and made provocative statements in an effort to suppress the movement in July and August.
They allegedly held several meetings to plan violence and called on party activists to take to the streets and put up resistance. The accused also allegedly played roles in armed attacks, severe repression and attempts to control the media in various places.
The prosecution claims that their actions resulted in killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country, amounting to crimes against humanity punishable under law.
A total of 28 witnesses, including the investigating officer, have testified in the case.
Closing arguments began at the tribunal on Aug 4.
The tribunal took cognisance of the formal charges filed by the prosecution on Dec 18 last year and ordered the trial to begin by framing charges against the seven accused on Jan 22 this year.
