The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 on Wednesday formally began the trial of four accused, including former lawmaker Abul Hasanat Abdullah, in a case over the alleged extrajudicial killings of two political activists in Barishal.
The tribunal framed charges against the accused, formally initiating proceedings in the case involving allegations of crimes against humanity linked to alleged ‘crossfire’ killings.”
The court set 17 June for the prosecution’s opening statement and the recording of witness testimonies.
Prosecutors Faruk Ahmed and Shahidul Islam Sardar represented the prosecution during the hearing.
Abul Hasanat Abdullah is a former Member of Parliament and cousin of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been convicted and sentenced to death in absentia in a separate crimes against humanity case.
Of the four accused, former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Md Mahabul Islam and Md Jasim Uddin of Uzirpur Police Station in Barishal are currently in custody, while former MP Abul Hasanat Abdullah and the then Barishal Superintendent of Police AKM Ehsanullah remain absconding.
The prosecution submitted formal charges to the tribunal on 1 April.
The case concerns the killings of Tipu Hawlader, then joint general secretary of Agailjhara Upazila Chhatra Dal, and Kabir Molla, former organising secretary of Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS).
According to the prosecution, the two victims were political opponents of Abul Hasanat Abdullah. Unable to defeat them politically, he allegedly misused state power to eliminate them.
The formal charges further state that on the night of 21 February, 2015, the victims were taken to the western side of the Boro Bridge on the Gournadi-Gopalganj Highway in Agailjhara upazila, where they were allegedly shot dead by law enforcement personnel in a staged “crossfire” incident under instructions from the accused.
