Adviser Asif Mahmud testifies in Chankharpul case

NN ONLINE:

LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan today testified at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 as a prosecution witness (PW) in a case over the killings of six innocent people in the city’s Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024.

Asif, also an Adviser of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, submitted his deposition as PW-19. However, his remained unfinished today. Three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder at the end of today’s proceedings adjourned the hearing till October 16.

The first tribunal on July 14 framed charge against eight accused in the case under crimes against humanity. The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam on July 3 had argued for framing charges against the accused, while the defence counsels moved their discharge petitions for their clients.

Advocate Saddam Hossain Ovy argued for accused Inspector Arshad, Barrister Sifat Mahmud for constable Md Sujon, Advocate Shibli Sadekin for constable Imaj Hossain Emon, Advocate Abul Hasan for constable Nasirul Islam and state-appointed counsel Advocate Md Kutubuddin defended four fugitive accused at the tribunal. The prosecution on May 25 filed the formal charge against eight accused of the case. It was the maiden formal charge filed at the ICT in the cases lodged over the July-August mass uprising.

Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Zunayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Miah were martyred in Chankharpul area on August 5. The investigation agency of the tribunal filed the 90-page probe report on April 20.