Verdict in Hanif case any day now
The prosecution and defence have completed their arguments and rebuttals in the crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising, involving banned Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif and three other party leaders. The International Crimes Tribunal may deliver its verdict in the case on any day.
The arguments concluded on Wednesday (October 7) before a bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2 headed by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
State-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain presented arguments on behalf of the accused. The prosecution then presented its rebuttal. Following the completion of arguments from both sides, the tribunal kept the case awaiting judgment.
The other accused in the case are Kushtia district Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Azgar Ali and Kushtia city Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata. All four accused are currently absconding.
On October 5, the prosecution concluded its arguments seeking the maximum punishment for the four Awami League leaders. As the accused are absconding, the tribunal fixed Wednesday for arguments by the state-appointed defence lawyer. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented arguments on behalf of the prosecution that day.
The prosecution said the trial against Hanif and the three others had earlier been completed before the tribunal. However, the state later submitted some additional evidence, following which both the prosecution and defence completed their arguments afresh.
Prosecutor Tamim said Hanif served as a joint general secretary of the Awami League and accepted decisions taken by the government to suppress the July uprising. He also implemented those decisions through his subordinates. As a civilian leader, he carried out the actions through instructions to subordinates and telephone conversations, he said.
He said the tribunal had awarded the maximum punishment to Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, General Secretary Obaidul Quader and Joint General Secretary Bahaunddin Nasim for the same offences. Therefore, the prosecution expects the tribunal to impose the same punishment on Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, as he was in a similar position.
“Being a joint general secretary of the party, Hanif participated in all kinds of decisions. During the July uprising, he not only instigated and aided the crimes against humanity but also attended and supported every meeting of Obaidul Quader,” the prosecutor said.
He further alleged that Hanif gave instructions over telephone to the superintendent of police in Kushtia, district and upazila chairmen, and Awami League leaders and activists to carry out the killings. “We have submitted recordings of those telephone conversations to the tribunal,” he said.
Earlier, on June 10, Tribunal-2 had kept the case awaiting judgment after concluding the prosecution and defence arguments and rebuttals. The testimony of 19 witnesses was completed on April 23 through the cross-examination of the investigation officer. However, fresh arguments were heard after the prosecution submitted additional evidence.
On November 2 last year, Tribunal-2 ordered the commencement of trial after framing formal charges against the four accused. The prosecution had filed the formal charges before the tribunal on October 5, and the tribunal took cognisance of them the following day, October 6.
The charges against the accused include making inciting statements, conspiracy and the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising.
