The prosecution has filed an appeal seeking the death penalty for Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) President Hasanul Haq Inu, challenging what it described as an inadequate sentence for crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 mass uprising.
The appeal was filed on Monday, 5 October, with the relevant branch of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, seeking to increase the 10-year prison sentence handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal to capital punishment.
International Crimes Tribunal Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the sentence delivered by the tribunal was inadequate compared with the severity of the crimes committed.
Consequently, the prosecution filed the appeal seeking the death penalty for Inu.
Earlier, on 30 June, ICT-2 sentenced Inu to 10 years in prison on three separate charges related to crimes against humanity during the July 2024 mass uprising.
Of the eight charges brought against him, the tribunal found three proven and acquitted him of the remaining five.
Although Inu was sentenced to 10 years in prison on each of the three proven charges, totalling 30 years, the court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning he would serve 10 years in prison.
The full verdict was published on 16 September.
The case originated from an investigation launched by the investigation agency on 25 March last year.
The agency submitted its investigation report to the prosecution on 11 September. On 25 September the same year, the prosecution filed eight specific charges against Inu before the tribunal, which took cognisance of them following a hearing that day.
The tribunal subsequently framed eight charges against him on 2 November.
Prosecution witnesses began testifying on 1 December last year.
A total of 10 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified for the prosecution. They included three eyewitnesses, two expert witnesses, one family member of a victim and two seizure-list witnesses.
The defence produced two witnesses.
Following lengthy hearings from both the prosecution and defence, the tribunal kept the case reserved for verdict on 14 May this year.
Inu served as information minister during the Awami League government.
He contested the 12th parliamentary election from his constituency in Kushtia as a candidate of the Awami League-led alliance but was defeated by an Awami League rebel candidate.
