ICT grants first-ever bail in July Uprising case
Staff Reporter:
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has, for the first time, granted bail in a case related to crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising.
On Sunday, the tribunal granted conditional bail to Humayun Kabir, former president of the now-defunct Awami League’s Lakshmipur Sadar upazila unit, who is accused in crimes against humanity case linked to the July 2024 uprising in Lakshmipur.
The bail order was issued after a hearing on Kabir’s petition by the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, ICT Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam said.
Four people were arrested in connection with the case, and Kabir is the first among them to be released on bail.
Humayun Kabir, a former chairman of Char Ruhita Union Parishad, was arrested in Dhaka in August 2024 following the Awami League’s ouster from power.
His lawyers requested bail on medical grounds, citing his battle with liver cirrhosis. They noted that two of Kabir’s brothers had died from the same illness.
During the hearing, the tribunal sought the prosecution’s opinion.
Prosecutor Mizanul Islam confirmed that medical reports substantiating Kabir’s serious condition had been submitted, making it difficult for the prosecution to oppose the bail.
However, he requested that Kabir be barred from contacting other accused in related crimes against humanity cases.
The tribunal granted bail with several conditions. Kabir must provide a permanent residential address, refrain from making statements to the media or on social media, inform the investigation officer and tribunal registrar before changing residence, and avoid influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence.
The tribunal warned that any violation of these conditions would lead to immediate arrest and permanent revocation of bail.
Following the July Uprising and the fall of the Awami League government, the interim government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal to try alleged crimes against humanity committed during the crackdown on the anti-discrimination student movement. The reconstituted tribunal began operations in October 2024.
This marks a historic first, as no accused in July Uprising cases had previously been granted bail by the ICT.