The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Wednesday accepted the statement of late Sharif Osman Hadi as evidence in a case concerning crimes against humanity during the July uprising.
The tribunal passed the order following a petition by the prosecution regarding the testimony against seven accused individuals, including former minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam informed journalists that Hadi had previously provided his statement to the investigation officer detailing the roles of the accused in the massacre.
As Hadi has since passed away, the prosecution sought to admit his testimony as evidence under existing legal provisions, with Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim participating in the hearing.
Accused individuals, allegations of genocide
The tribunal framed charges against the seven accused on 22 January.
Besides Obaidul Quader, the individuals named in the case are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, joint general secretary of Awami League; Mohammad Ali Arafat, former state minister for information; Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, president of Jubo League; Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, general secretary of Jubo League; and Saddam Hussain and Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, respectively the president and general secretary of the banned terrorist organisation Chhatra League.
According to the prosecution, Quader played a pivotal role in the planning, ordering, and execution of the genocide that occurred in July and August. Other leaders, particularly Nasim and Arafat, are alleged to have been directly involved in facilitating the killings.
Trial in absentia
The prosecution further contends that the Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League functioned as auxiliary forces alongside the police and other agencies.
These organisations allegedly participated in direct attacks to suppress the student-led movement through murder, torture, and mutilation.
Consequently, Quader and the other top leaders have been charged under the principle of command responsibility due to their leadership positions within their respective organisations during the crackdown.
The judicial process moved forward after the tribunal issued arrest warrants for the seven individuals on 18 December. When law enforcement agencies were unable to apprehend them, the tribunal published newspaper notices directing the accused to appear.
Following their continued absence, the court appointed lawyers to conduct the defence, noting that there is no legal barrier to holding a trial in absentia.
