Formal charge filed against ex-DU VC, Zafar, others

The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has filed a formal charge against eight people, including former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof ASM Maksud Kamal, academic and writer Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, and former Appellate Division judge AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, over alleged attacks on students during the July 2024 uprising.

The prosecution submitted the formal charge to the tribunal’s registrar on Wednesday.

The charges relate to allegations of attacks, torture and attempts to suppress the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on the Dhaka University campus during the July uprising.

According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly played direct or indirect roles in attacks and repression against protesting students. The prosecution said the allegations emerged during its investigation based on information and documents collected in the case.

After submitting the formal charge, Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim told journalists that the accused had been charged with incitement, conspiracy, attempt and provocation in connection with attacks on protesting students at Dhaka University.

“Maksud Kamal made provocative statements and was involved in a conspiracy. As a result, Chhatra League, Jubo League and police carried out attacks on the protesters,” the prosecutor said.

“We have filed a formal charge in this regard,” he added.

The tribunal will now examine the formal charge before deciding on the next stage of the proceedings.