The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered notices to be published in two national newspapers, asking former Rajshahi City Corporation mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and 33 others to appear before it in a case over alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising in Rajshahi.
The tribunal issued the order on Thursday following a prosecution petition seeking notices for the 34 accused, who are currently absconding.
During the hearing, prosecutor Zahirul Amin told International Crimes Tribunal-2 that arrest warrants had already been issued against the 34 accused.
He said law enforcement agencies had searched their permanent and temporary addresses but failed to locate them.
The prosecution therefore sought permission to publish notices in two national newspapers asking the accused to appear before the tribunal.
After hearing the prosecution, the tribunal ordered the notices to be published and fixed 27 October for the next hearing.
Four accused currently in custody -former Rajshahi-3 MP Md Asaduzzaman Asad, Dablu Sarker, Zahirul Islam Rubel and Mohaiminul Islam Manik-were produced before the tribunal from jail during Thursday’s proceedings.
Earlier, on 18 August, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against the 34 accused and ordered that the four detained accused be produced before it.
The 34 accused are AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Biplab Bijoy Talukder, Humayun Kabir, Rocky Kumar Ghosh, Rashik Dutta, Bappi Chowdhury Rony, Mahidul Islam Mostafa, Khalid Hasan Biplob, Rashedul Karim Rozel, Mehedi Hasan alias Rony, Jedu Sarker alias Jabedur Rahman, Abdul Hamid Sarker alias Tekon, Anwar Hossain alias Anar, Arman Ali, Abdul Momin, Shahadat Hossain Shahu, Touhidul Haque Sumon, Mahtab Hossain Chowdhury, Alauddin alias Alal, Shariful Islam Babu, Md Nabil Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Rajib, Farhad Hossain Biplob, Tourid Al Masud Rony, Mehedi Hasan Rimel alias Rigen, Ashraful Islam Jafar, Sukanta Kumar Das, Faisal Ahmed Runu, Nur Mohammad Siam, Asadullah-hil-Galib, Golam Kibria, Alal Parvez Lulu, Moniruzzaman Khan alias Monir and Shafiquzzaman alias Shafik.
The prosecution had filed a formal complaint against 38 people with the International Crimes Tribunal on 30 July over alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising in Rajshahi.
According to the prosecution, protester Raihan Ali was shot dead in the Shekherchok area under Boalia Police Station in Rajshahi city around noon on 5 August 2024.
On the same day, Anjum Sakib was allegedly killed in front of Shah Makhdum College.
The prosecution also alleged that many others, including Salman alias Shimul, were injured during the violence.
It has accused the 38 people of involvement in killings and other acts of violence in Rajshahi during the July uprising, describing the alleged offences as crimes against humanity.
