Pro-Awami League lawyers held a silent vigil at the Supreme Court on Tuesday following the announcement of death sentences for seven top leaders of the activity-banned Awami League, Jubo League, and the banned Chhatra League over crimes against humanity.
Around 1:30pm, a group of lawyers supporting Awami League gathered in front of the Advocates’ Lounge at the Supreme Court Annex Building to observe the programme. According to eyewitnesses, some participants uttered slogans of “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” during the gathering.
Earlier on Tuesday the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced seven top leaders of the activity-banned Awami League, Jubo League, and the banned Chhatra League to death in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising.
In the same verdict, the tribunal directed the government to confiscate 50 per cent of the movable and immovable assets of five of the convicts, sell them, and distribute the proceeds among the families of those martyred and injured in the uprising.
The convicts awarded the death penalty are- Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, AL Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Executive Committee Member Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain, and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.
In an earlier ruling on 17 November last year, International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced fallen prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity. All convicts handed death sentences, including Sheikh Hasina, are currently absconding.
All activities of the Awami League as well as its wing, associate, and fraternal organisations, along with their leaders and activists, have been banned pending the completion of their trials at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification in this regard on 12 May 2025.
Prior to that, on 23 October 2024, the interim government declared the Bangladesh Chhatra League, a fraternal organisation of the Bangladesh Awami League, banned under powers granted by the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009.
