Verdict on Obaidul Quader, Six Others Set for Tuesday

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Tuesday (15 September) in the case against seven senior leaders of the banned Awami League, Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League, including former Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, over alleged crimes against humanity.

A three-member Tribunal-2 bench, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, set the date on Monday (14 September). Justice Md Manzurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir are the other members of the panel.

Prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim, Faruk Ahmed and others appeared before the tribunal for the prosecution.

Apart from Obaidul Quader, the accused 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, its General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Wali Asif Enan. All seven accused are currently absconding.

The tribunal reserved the case for verdict on 17 August after the conclusion of arguments. Witness testimony ended on 2 August, with 29 prosecution witnesses, including the investigation officer, testifying in the case.

On 22 January this year, Tribunal-2 framed charges against the seven accused and ordered the trial to commence. Earlier, on 18 December last year, the tribunal took cognisance of the formal charges submitted by the prosecution.

According to prosecutors, the accused jointly issued directives, provocative statements and instructions aimed at suppressing the July-August movement. They allegedly held several meetings to plan violence and urged party activists to take to the streets and resist the movement.

The prosecution further alleged that the accused were involved in armed attacks, severe repression and attempts to control the media in certain areas. Their alleged actions led to killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country, which prosecutors contend amount to punishable crimes against humanity.