Kushtia six killings: verdict in case against Hanif and three other leaders on 29 October

The verdict in the crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July mass uprising, against four leaders including Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, will be delivered on 29 October. On Tuesday (27 October), International Crimes Tribunal-2 set the date for delivering the verdict.

A three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-2 led by its chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury gave the decision. The other two members of the panel are Judge Md Manjurul Basid and Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

The other three accused in the case are Kushtia district Awami League president Sadar Uddin Khan, general secretary Azgar Ali, and Kushtia city Awami League general secretary Ataur Rahman Ata.

All four accused are currently fugitive. Lawyer Amir Hossain, appointed at state expense, is conducting the case on their behalf. The case is being conducted for the prosecution by prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim, Zahirul Amin, Shahidul Islam Sardar and others.

Earlier, on 7 October, the prosecution and defence arguments and counter-arguments ended. The tribunal then kept the case waiting for verdict. Before that, on 5 October, the prosecution presented arguments seeking the maximum punishment for the four accused.

In the case, testimony of 19 witnesses ended on 23 April with the cross-examination of the investigating officer. On 10 June, after arguments ended, the case was kept waiting for verdict, but as the prosecution submitted additional evidence, arguments were held again later.

The four accused face allegations of inciting speech, conspiracy and involvement in the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July mass uprising.

The prosecution alleges that Mahbubul Alam Hanif supported the decision to suppress the movement during the July mass uprising and played a role in implementing it. The prosecution claims that, as a civilian political leader, he gave instructions to subordinates and was involved in the movement-suppression activities through telephone conversations.

The prosecution further alleges that Hanif supported suppressing the movement by attending various meetings of then Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader. Alongside that, he is also accused of instructing by telephone the Kushtia superintendent of police, district and upazila-level chairmen and Awami League leaders and activists to carry out killings. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim has said records of the related conversations were submitted to the tribunal.

The prosecution claims that for the same type of crime, Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, general secretary Obaidul Quader and joint general secretary Bahauddin Nasim have received the maximum punishment. For that reason, they expect the same type of punishment in Hanif's case as well. The tribunal's decision on these allegations has not yet come.

The tribunal's verdict on 29 October will settle an important judicial stage of the case.