Chief prosecutor welcomes Kushtia six-murder verdict, sets out Hanif's role in detail

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam has welcomed the sentences handed down to four accused, including Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif, joint general secretary of the activities-banned Awami League, in a case of crimes against humanity over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July mass uprising.

He made the comment in an immediate reaction after the verdict was announced on Thursday (29 October).

Aminul Islam said the tribunal gave its verdict at the end of the trial of this crimes against humanity case. The verdict was very timely. Paying respect to the souls of the July martyrs, the prosecution has welcomed this verdict.

The chief prosecutor said Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif worked as an associate of Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader. He cooperated in implementing various instructions, including the use of lethal weapons and indiscriminate firing, to suppress the student-people movement.

He also said Hanif had instructed subordinate leaders and activists to use force at a meeting of the Kushtia district Awami League.

According to Aminul Islam, following these instructions, six people were indiscriminately shot dead in Kushtia on 5 August 2024. As the charges brought against the accused were proved beyond doubt, the tribunal gave these sentences.

On the sentences, the chief prosecutor said Hanif was given the death penalty on the first charge because of personal liability and the liability of superior leadership. He was given life imprisonment on the remaining two charges.

The other three accused were sentenced by the tribunal to imprisonment till death, Aminul Islam said.

He also said the tribunal ordered the confiscation of half of the accused's movable and immovable property.