The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday concluded the hearing on framing formal charges against 22 accused, including former foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, in a case involving alleged crimes against humanity during the July-August 2024 mass uprising in Chattogram.
The tribunal fixed Tuesday for passing its order.
The case relates to the killing of six people, including Chhatra Dal leader Wasim Akram, during unrest in Chattogram.
Lawyers Mizanur Rahman and Abdul Quayyum appeared for the accused, while state-appointed defence counsel Mohammad Amir Hossain, Abu Hasan, Ishrat Jahan and Mohammad Enam represented the absconding accused.
During the hearing, the defence argued that there was insufficient evidence to frame charges, claiming that the investigation had not been properly conducted.
Prosecutor Faruk Ahmed, however, told the tribunal that sufficient prima facie material existed to proceed with charge framing and urged the court to allow the charges.
According to case documents, among the absconding accused are former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, former Chattogram city mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, Rezaul Karim, Mohiuddin Bacchu, Helal Akbar, Nurul Azim Rony, Shaibal Das Suman, Abu Saleh, Esbarul Haque, HM Mithu, Nur Mustafa Tinu, Zamir Uddin, Imran Hasan Mahmud, Zakaria Dasgupta, Mohiuddin Farhad and Suman De.
Five accused, including former lawmaker ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, youth leader Azizur Rahman, Towhidul Islam, Mohammad Firoz and Debashish Pal Debu, are currently in custody.
All the accused are affiliated with the Awami League and its associate organisations, according to the case document.
The investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution on 2 April, after which the prosecution filed formal charges before the tribunal.
The case includes three sets of allegations- the killing of Md Wasim Akram, Faisal Ahmed Shanto and Md Faruk on 16 July, 2024; the killing of Tanvir Siddique, Md Saimon and Hridoy Chandra on 18 July, 2024; and injuries to more than 100 people during the same series of incidents.
