Kushtia six killings: Death sentence for Hanif, life terms for three others bring relief to martyrs' families

International Crimes Tribunal-2 has sentenced Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif to death in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people in Kushtia. In the same case, Kushtia district Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Asgar Ali, and Kushtia town Awami League General Secretary and former upazila chairman Ataur Rahman Ata were sentenced to imprisonment until death. The verdict was announced on Thursday (29 October).

The case concerns the killing of six people in Kushtia during the anti-discrimination student-people's movement in July-August 2024. After the verdict was announced, relief spread among the general public in Kushtia, and many local residents see the ruling as an important step towards justice. Members of martyrs' families also said they were pleased with the verdict.

The prosecution said documentary evidence, including audio of telephone conversations, was presented to the tribunal regarding the accused's instigation, orders and involvement in the six killings in Kushtia. Statements from a total of 19 witnesses, in addition to the investigating officer, were recorded in the case.

Parvez, a college student and resident of Kushtia town, said: 'Politics should be for the people. But if, because of power, people are afraid and cannot speak for fear of cases and attacks, that is in no way good politics. We have heard and seen that many people were harmed during the time of Hanif and Ata. Today's verdict has brought relief among people. We want no one in future to be able to abuse power to harass ordinary people.'

July organiser Almas Hasan Mamun said: 'These four people, and many others, were involved in ordering the killings committed during the 2024 mass uprising. Their sentencing has brought peace to the souls of the martyred July fighters. I hope that through this verdict, no political party in future will dare to become fascist.'

July fighter Mostafizur Rahman Palash said the fascist system of governance established by the Awami League government ended through the July mass uprising, in which six people lost their lives in Kushtia. 'We hope this verdict will be carried out and the fugitive accused will be arrested so their sentences are ensured,' he said.

Palash added that many of those martyred in ending the fascist rule were the sole earners in their families. Alongside standing by martyrs' families, they must be properly valued, he said, adding that he wants the real contribution of July fighters to be recognised and martyrs' families to receive the support they need.

July fighter Sultan Maruf Talha said: 'The accused in the case over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising have been sentenced to hanging today. We are delighted. The government must move quickly to carry out this verdict. The accused must be found and brought under the law. We also demand that those who have fled abroad be brought under the law and the verdict carried out quickly.'

Lokman Hossain, father of Abdullah, who was killed in the movement, said: 'We are satisfied with this verdict. We want the accused arrested quickly and the verdict carried out. What we have lost will never come back. The fascist government fell in exchange for our sacrifice. May no political party in future be able to establish a fascist system of governance.'

Seema, daughter of Yusuf Sheikh, who was killed in Kushtia on 5 August 2024, said: 'My appeal to the government is that they verify properly and arrange punishment for the real culprits. We are very happy that the verdict has been delivered. May those who are fugitives abroad and inside the country be brought under the law and given proper punishment.'

Kushtia resident Machud said: 'We are satisfied with this verdict. But it would have been better if everyone had been given the same sentence. May the fugitive accused be brought back to the country and this verdict carried out quickly, so it becomes an example for the future. May the powerful, once in power, never be able to oppress ordinary people.'

Former secretary of Kushtia district Jamaat, Sujauddin Zoardar, said: 'We had hoped all the accused would be given the death penalty for such crimes against humanity. But that did not happen.' He added that while in power, they had oppressed ordinary people with the force of that power and thought they would remain in power forever.

Engineer Zakir Hossain Sarkar, member secretary of Kushtia district BNP, said people in Kushtia had long alleged political repression, attacks, cases and harassment against Mahbubul Alam Hanif and his associates. He said people of various political views, including the Awami League, BNP and Jamaat, had become helpless before their sphere of power. 'Through today's verdict, an important step has been completed in fulfilling people's expectation of justice,' he said.