AL leader Hanif gets death penalty
The International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday sentenced Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif to death for crimes against humanity over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising on 5 August 2024.
Three other Awami League leaders – Kushtia district unit President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Azgar Ali and Kushtia town unit General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata – were sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of their natural lives in the same case.
A three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, delivered the verdict around noon.
The other members were Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
All four accused were tried in absentia as they are absconding. State-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain represented them during the proceedings.
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam and other members of the prosecution team were present in court when the verdict was pronounced.
The case centres on the deaths of six people in Kushtia on 5 August 2024, amid nationwide protests demanding the resignation of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The victims were identified as worker Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, students Abdullah Al Mustakin and Usama, businessman Bablu Farazi, and employee Yusuf Sheikh.
Three charges of crimes against humanity
The prosecution brought three charges against the four accused, alleging their involvement in inciting violence against protesters, planning the suppression of the uprising and the killing of six people in Kushtia.
The first charge accused Hanif of incitement, instigation and assistance in the suppression of the July uprising.
The prosecution cited statements made at meetings involving Awami League leaders, including then party General Secretary Obaidul Quader, on 15, 17 and 30 July and 3 August 2024.
It also cited a speech Hanif delivered at the National Press Club on 29 July, in which he allegedly labelled protesters as Jamaat members, terrorists and communal forces, thereby encouraging violence against them.
According to the prosecution, Hanif also backed plans to use lethal force against protesters to retain the government’s hold on power.
The alleged plans included identifying demonstrators using drones and firing at them from helicopters.
The second charge related to a meeting at the Kushtia district Awami League office on 27 July 2024.
The prosecution alleged that Hanif chaired the meeting, attended by Sadar Uddin Khan, Azgar Ali, Ataur Rahman Ata and other party leaders.
At the meeting, Hanif allegedly portrayed the student-public movement as a terrorist campaign and instructed party leaders to use maximum force to crush the protests in Kushtia.
The prosecution argued that the meeting contributed to incitement and assistance in shootings, killings, torture and other acts of violence against protesters.
The third charge concerned the killing of six people in Kushtia on 5 August 2024.
Six protesters killed in Kushtia
According to the prosecution, thousands of students and members of the public gathered near Hospital Mor in Kushtia around 10am on 5 August to join the nationwide movement and express solidarity with the March to Dhaka programme and the demand for Hasina’s resignation.
The protesters attempted to march peacefully from Chourhash towards Majampur. The prosecution alleged that Awami League activists opened fire on them in line with Hanif’s plan and instructions, while police provided protection.
In some instances, party activists allegedly fired alongside police.
Between 1:30pm and 4pm, six people were shot dead at different locations across Kushtia town, the prosecution said.
Ashraful Islam was killed about 50 yards north of Bok Chattar, Suruj Ali Babu in Burmese Goli, and Abdullah Al Mustakin and Usama on the Haripur-bound road in front of Aarong. Bablu Farazi was killed in an alley in Tulapatti, while Yusuf Sheikh was shot on the road opposite the fire service station.
The prosecution alleged that Hanif, Sadar Uddin Khan, Azgar Ali and Ataur Rahman Ata were involved in the killings. The charges included murder, attempted murder, torture, incitement, instigation, assistance and ordering killings as crimes against humanity.
