The International Crimes Tribunal-2 will deliver its order on 25 November on whether to frame formal charges against 12 accused in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of three people in Gauripur, Mymensingh, during the July uprising.
The tribunal fixed the date on Thursday after concluding hearings from both the prosecution and the defence on the charge-framing matter.
During the hearing, defence counsel Shahidur Rahman, appointed by the state to represent the accused, claimed that his clients were innocent and had no involvement in the killings.
The accused include Tanzir Ahmed Rajib, son of former lawmaker Nazim Uddin Ahmed; former Gauripur Police Station Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam; Assistant Sub-Inspector Delwar Hossain; Ataur Rahman Fakir; Shahabul Alam; and Joseph Uddin Judge.
The other six accused, including former Gauripur upazila chairman Somnath Saha, are absconding.
According to the prosecution, a large-scale attack was carried out on protesters in Gauripur on 20 July 2024, under the leadership of then upazila chairman Somnath Saha.
Police personnel, along with leaders and activists of the local Awami League, Jubo League and their affiliated organisations, allegedly took part in the attack.
Three people – Biplob Hasan, Md Nure Alam Siddiqui and Md Zubayer – were killed by gunfire during the violence, the prosecution alleged.
Following a lengthy investigation, the prosecution submitted formal charges before the tribunal.
The charges have been divided into two parts.
One names nine accused, including Somnath Saha, while the other names three, including Rajib. The tribunal will pass its order on 25 November.
