The International Crimes Tribunal-2 will deliver its verdict on Thursday in a crimes against humanity case against four Awami League leaders, including Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July 2024 mass uprising.
The tribunal fixed the date on Tuesday after concluding arguments from both the prosecution and defence. All four accused remain absconding and are being represented by state-appointed lawyers.
The other accused are Kushtia district Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Azgar Ali and Kushtia city Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented the prosecution’s arguments on 5 October, while state-appointed defence lawyer Amir Hossain presented his arguments on 7 October.
The tribunal on 7 October reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
Earlier, on 10 June, the tribunal had reserved its verdict following arguments from the prosecution and defence. However, further arguments were heard after the prosecution submitted additional evidence.
According to case documents, Azgar Ali, a local Awami League leader, said in a speech outside the Kushtia district Awami League office on 27 July 2024 that Hanif had instructed party members to suppress the movement “by any means”.
The prosecution placed particular emphasis on the speech, arguing that the statements, instructions and organisational roles of the accused had directly influenced the killings in Kushtia.
A total of 19 witnesses, including the investigating officer, testified in the case.
The prosecution brought three charges against the four accused.
The first concerns their alleged attendance at a meeting where Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said Chhatra League was sufficient to suppress the movement, and their support for that position.
The second involves allegedly ordering the killing of students and members of the public at a meeting in Kushtia on 29 July 2024 and participating in a conspiracy to carry out the killings.
The third charge relates to the killing of six people in Kushtia during the uprising.
Six people were killed and several others injured in Kushtia during the July-August mass uprising, leading to the crimes against humanity case against Hanif and three other Awami League leaders.
The prosecution formally submitted charges against the four on 6 October 2025.
