Formal charges filed against seven top Awami League leaders including Amu in crimes against humanity case

Formal charges have been filed at the International Crimes Tribunal against seven top leaders of the Awami League, whose activities are banned, including former minister Amir Hossain Amu, in a case over crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising of 2024. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim gave this information on Monday (2 November).

The seven accused leaders are: former industries minister and Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu; former shipping minister and presidium member Shajahan Khan; former agriculture minister and presidium member Dr Abdur Razzaque; former tourism minister and presidium member Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan; former foreign minister and the party's joint secretary Dr Dipu Moni; Awami League organising secretary Mirza Azam; and Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury Bir Bikram, former energy adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier, on 26 October, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam had said the investigation report against the seven, including Amir Hossain Amu, had already been submitted to the prosecution and a formal charge had been prepared from it. Monday's filing of that formal charge at the tribunal takes the case to its next stage.

According to the chief prosecutor, the seven leaders face charges of superior responsibility. The prosecution claims they were present at meetings and were part of the decisions behind the July killings — these are the allegations brought against them.

The report also noted that among the accused, Dr Dipu Moni and Dr Abdur Razzaque are also accused in the case over the killings at Shapla Chattar on 5 May 2013.