The verdict in a crimes against humanity case will be announced Tuesday against former minister Obaidul Quader and six leaders of Awami League and its affiliated organisations.
The court fixed the date for pronouncement on Monday.
On 17 August, following arguments from both sides, the International Crimes Tribunal‑2 kept the case pending for judgment. During the hearing, the prosecution sought death penalty for the accused, while the defence pleaded for acquittal.
The other accused are Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.
Prosecutor Mizanul Islam said that during various state meetings around the July uprising, conspiracies and plans were made to kill people. Evidence of this was presented in audio and video recordings submitted in the case.
He added Awami League General Secretary Quader had ordered security forces to shoot protesters on sight, which led to indiscriminate firing and many deaths up to 5 August.
State‑appointed lawyer M Hasan Imam, representing Quader, Nasim, and Arafat, argued that the prosecution’s case against these three leaders was based mainly on command responsibility, claiming they had issued orders to kill.
He countered that the “shoot‑at‑sight” order was given to protect public safety, but these leaders were not in commanding positions. He insisted they neither killed anyone nor ordered killings and said only one person should be held responsible under command responsibility.
State‑appointed lawyer Israt Jahan, representing the presidents and general secretaries of the Chhatra League and Jubo League, argued that names such as Saddam, Inan, Parash, and Nikhil did not appear among those leading the crackdown at Dhaka University. She claimed others led the operations and that the Chhatra League leaders failed to control their subordinates.
Defense lawyers maintained that the allegations were not proven and sought acquittal for the accused.
Later, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim explained the concept of joint criminal enterprise, arguing that even if one person was killed during the crackdown, the accused would be considered guilty. Earlier, on 12 August, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam presented arguments for the prosecution.
The chief prosecutor said the prosecution had proven all four charges against the seven accused, holding them responsible for killings and injuries during the July–August uprising. He urged the court to impose the maximum sentence without leniency.
He placed particular emphasis on Quader’s role, describing his statements as irresponsible and provocative, claiming they mobilised Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League activists against protesters.
Aminul described the other six accused as criminals, corrupt individuals, and miscreants hiding behind political leadership. According to the prosecution, each of the seven bears both personal responsibility and superior command responsibility, which is why the maximum punishment has been sought.
The prosecution argued that Quader, as a powerful minister and Awami League General Secretary at the time, played a key role in planning, directing, and implementing actions during the July–August events. It claimed that Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad Ali Arafat, and other leaders were directly involved in the process.
It alleged that alongside police and other law enforcement agencies, Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League activists acted as auxiliary forces, directly participating in attacks. They face charges of murder, torture, and causing grievous injuries.
On 18 December last year, the tribunal accepted the formal charges and issued arrest warrants against the seven. As law enforcement failed to arrest them, state‑appointed lawyers were assigned to represent the accused. Under the law, the trial can proceed in their absence. On 22 January, the court framed charges against the seven. The prosecution’s arguments began on 4 August, followed by the defense arguments.
