The prosecution has sought the death penalty for Awami League General Secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader and six other senior leaders in a crimes against humanity case over the July-August uprising.
On the sixth day of closing arguments before International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Wednesday, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam said the prosecution had been able to prove all four charges brought against the seven accused.
“We seek the maximum punishment for all seven accused,” he told the tribunal, arguing that exemplary punishment was needed to prevent similar political violence in the future.
The three-member tribunal is headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with Justice Md Manzurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members.
The prosecution particularly highlighted Quader’s alleged role during the July-August protests.
Aminul Islam said Quader made “irresponsible and provocative” statements that allegedly encouraged leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, including the Jubo League and Chhatra League, to act against protesters.
The prosecution alleged that the seven accused bear both individual and superior-command responsibility for killings and injuries during the movement.
It further alleged that Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League activists acted alongside police and other law enforcement agencies in suppressing the protests and were involved in killings, torture and causing injuries.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Aminul Islam described Quader as a “political joker”, alleging that his remarks were widely used by TikTok creators. He also claimed that Quader’s statements and actions contributed to violence in which around 1,400 people were killed during the July uprising.
The chief prosecutor described the other six accused as political leaders who allegedly operated behind the scenes and were involved in acts of violence and corruption.
According to the prosecution, Quader, who was a powerful minister in the then government as well as Awami League general secretary, played a key role in planning, directing and implementing measures against the protesters.
It also alleged that AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad Ali Arafat and the other accused were directly involved in the alleged actions.
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, its General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
After the prosecution concluded its arguments, state-appointed lawyer M Hasan Imam began presenting arguments on behalf of the accused, who remain absconding.
The tribunal took cognisance of the prosecution’s formal charges on 18 December last year and issued arrest warrants against all seven accused.
As law enforcement agencies failed to arrest them, state-funded lawyers were appointed to represent them.
Under the law, the trial can proceed in the absence of the accused.
The tribunal framed charges against the seven on 22 January.
The prosecution began its closing arguments on 4 August and presented evidence and arguments over five consecutive working days on the background of the case and the four charges brought against the accused.
On 12 August, on the sixth day, the prosecution concluded its arguments, after which the defence began presenting its case.
