The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 on Tuesday ordered the start of trial proceedings against 22 accused, including former foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, after framing charges in a case over killings during the July Uprising in Chattogram.
The order was passed by a two-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-2 headed by Justice Md Manjurul Basid.
The case involves the killings of six people, including Chhatra Dal leader Wasim Akram, during the July unrest in Chattogram.
Earlier, defence counsel Mizanur Rahman completed his three-day arguments, claiming that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient grounds to frame charges and pointing to alleged flaws in the investigation.
Lawyer Abdul Kaiyum also represented former lawmaker ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, seeking discharge of his client.
State-appointed defence lawyers had earlier represented the absconding accused, while the prosecution argued that there were prima facie grounds to proceed against all 22 accused.
After hearing both sides, the tribunal fixed 30 June for its order.
During Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Abdus Sobhan Torofdar, Faruk Ahmad, Zahirul Amin and others appeared for the state.
Of the accused, four are currently in custody, including Fazle Karim Chowdhury, while the rest are absconding.
The absconding accused include Hasan Mahmud, Nowfel, and several former city and political leaders.
Earlier, on 7 April, the tribunal took cognisance of the charges after the prosecution filed the formal chargesheet on 5 April.
According to the prosecution, the case includes three sets of allegations- the killing of Wasim Akram, Faisal Ahmed Shanto and Md Faruk; the killing of Tanvir Siddiqui, Saimon alias Mahim and Hriday Chandra; and causing serious injuries to more than 100 people during violence linked to the July uprising in Chattogram.
