International Crimes Tribunal has identified Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, and their political ally, the 14-Party Alliance, as criminal organisations.
The tribunal observed that planned and systematic attacks were launched on unarmed students and civilians nationwide during the July Mass Uprising as part of executing a common policy of persecution.
This observation came in the verdict handed down against four Awami League leaders, including party Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, in a crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July Mass Uprising.
On Thursday, International Crimes Tribunal-2, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury alongside bench members Judge Md Monjurul Basit and Judge Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, delivered the judgment.
The tribunal handed Hanif the death penalty, while Kushtia District Awami League President Md Sadar Uddin Khan, District General Secretary Md Azgar Ali, and Kushtia Town Awami League General Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Ata were sentenced to imprisonment until death.
The tribunal also ordered confiscation of half of the immovable property of four convicts to provide compensation to the families of those martyred and injured in the July Mass Uprising through July Foundation or other means, mentioning that all four convicts remain absconding.
Regarding the fifth charge concerning “common intent and criminal organisation,” the tribunal said Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, and the 14-Party Alliance jointly conducted planned and systematic attacks nationwide targeting students and civilians to implement a common policy of persecution, forming part of a widespread and systematic assault.
The judgment pointed out that Hanif and his co-convicts acted knowingly and intentionally as part of that organisational structure to execute the common policy of persecution, committing crimes against humanity under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act.
The court found the accused guilty, both jointly and individually, of murder, attempted murder, torture, abetment, conspiracy, incitement, assistance in committing crimes, and participation in widespread and systematic attacks against civilians.
Under this charge, the tribunal awarded them life imprisonment for offences falling under the Act.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told TIMES that the fifth charge highlighted “Joint Criminal Enterprise” or common criminal intent and criminal organisation.
He said during charge framing, the tribunal mentioned that nationwide widespread and systematic attacks were part of the activity-banned Awami League’s organisational plan executed by the party and its allies.
Tamim added that the charge was proven in court, resulting in life sentences for all four convicts on this count, alongside the tribunal’s observation classifying Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League, and the 14-Party Alliance as criminal organisations.
