The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT) has taken the testimony of the prosecution’s fifth witness against Joint General Secretary of the Awami League Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif, , accused of crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.
On Wednesday, the tribunal took the witness’ testimony. After the testimony, the state-appointed lawyer for the accused, Md Amir Hossain, cross-examined the witness.
Prosecutor Faruk Ahmad was present for the prosecution. The next date for testimony in the case has been set for 21 January.
In his testimony, the witness said that around 10am on 5 August 2024, anti-fascist movement activists in Kushtia began taking to the streets in protest of the brutal killings that occurred in various parts of the country.
At that time, an executive magistrate fired tear shells, along with a BGB vehicle, in the Thanapara embankment area to prevent the activists from entering the city.
He said, “Since the Thanapara area is densely populated, local residents also came out on the streets in protest of the killings.”
The testimony further mentions that around 2pm that day, Awami League’s armed terrorist forces and police attacked the activists from various directions on the orders of the accused, Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif. In this, six people were shot dead and hundreds of activists were injured by bullets.
The witness stated that among the deceased, besides a teenager, Abdullah, there were Bablu Faraji, Babu, Usama, and two others.
According to the witness’s claim, accused Ataur Rahman Ata, Sadar Uddin Khan, and Azgar Ali played direct roles in these killings committed in Kushtia under Hanif’s orders.
He stated that he learned about Hanif’s orders through various media and personal sources.
In this case filed regarding the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July mass uprising, a total of four individuals including Hanif have been made accused. All four accused in the case are currently fugitives.
The other accused are President of Kushtia Awami League Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary of district Awami League Azgar Ali, and General Secretary of Kushtia City Awami League Ataur Rahman Ata.
Three charges have been brought against the four accused: Attending a meeting with Obaidul Quader to suppress the uprising, conspiring to kill protesters and the masses; and of killing six people in Kushtia on 5 August.
During the July-August mass uprising, six people were killed and many were injured in Kushtia. Regarding this incident, a case was filed in the tribunal against Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif and others involved.
On 6 October last year, the prosecution submitted the formal charge sheet for the case to the International Crimes Tribunal-2.
