The International Crimes Tribunal-2 will deliver its order on 19 October on a petition seeking a review of its decision to frame charges against 22 people in a crimes against humanity case over incidents in Chattogram during the July uprising.
The accused include former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, former education minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel and former lawmaker ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury.
The tribunal fixed the date on Tuesday.
Lawyers Munsurul Hoque Chowdhury and Ehsanul Hoque Samaji represented the petitioners, while Prosecutor Oli Mia appeared for the prosecution.
On 30 June, the tribunal framed charges against the 22 accused over the killings of six people, including Chhatra Dal leader Wasim Akram, in Chattogram during the July-August 2024 uprising. The decision marked the start of the formal trial.
Five accused currently in custody filed the review petition challenging the charge-framing order. The tribunal heard the petition for the first time on September 21 and held a second hearing on October 8.
The five are former lawmaker ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, Jubo League leaders Azizur Rahman and Touhidul Islam, Mohammad Firoz and Debashish Pal Debu.
According to case documents, the accused were involved in the politics of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations.
The investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution office on April 2 after completing its investigation. Following scrutiny, the prosecution filed formal charges with the tribunal.
The case involves three charges. The first alleges that Mohammad Wasim Akram, Faisal Ahmed Shanto and Mohammad Faruk were killed in Chattogram on 16 July 2024.
The second alleges that Tanvir Siddiqui, Mohammad Saimon and Hriday Chandra were killed on 18 July 2024.
The third concerns the serious injuries sustained by more than 100 people during the same sequence of events.
Besides Hasan Mahmud, the accused who remain at large include former education minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel, former Chattogram City Corporation mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, Rezaul Karim, Mohiuddin Bachchu, Helal Akbar, Nurul Azim Rony, Shaibal Das Sumon, Abu Salek, Esbarul Hoque, HM Mithu, Noor Mostafa Tinu, Jamir Uddin, Imran Hasan Mahmud, Zakaria Dastagir, Mohiuddin Farhad and Sumon Dey.
