Md Aminul Islam, chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, has welcomed the verdict sentencing four leaders, including Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising.
Speaking to reporters immediately after the verdict was delivered on Thursday, he said, “The verdict is timely. We welcome it, while paying tribute to the souls of those martyred in July.”
He added that Hanif had worked as an associate of Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and assisted in implementing various directives, including the use of lethal weapons and indiscriminate firing to suppress the student-public movement.
Hanif had instructed subordinate leaders and activists to use force at a meeting of the Kushtia district Awami League. Following those directives, six people were killed in firing in Kushtia on 5 August 2024, the chief prosecutor added.
The tribunal handed down the sentences after the charges against the accused were proven beyond reasonable doubt, he said.
Aminul Islam said Hanif was sentenced to death on the first charge on the grounds of individual and superior responsibility. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on the remaining two charges.
The tribunal also sentenced the other three accused to imprisonment for the remainder of their lives, he said.
He added that all the accused were also sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the three charges. The tribunal further ordered the confiscation of half of their movable and immovable property.
Meanwhile, state-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain has expressed disappointment over the sentences handed down to Hanif and three other Awami League leaders.
He expressed his disappointment immediately after the verdict was delivered.
ICT-2 sentenced Hanif to death in the case. The other three accused, Kushtia district Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, district General Secretary Azgar Ali, and Kushtia town Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata, were sentenced to imprisonment until death.
As all four accused were fugitives, Amir Hossain had been appointed as their state-funded defence lawyer.
Speaking to journalists, he said, “I have nothing to say about the verdict. I found it unexpected, and I am disappointed.”
