Prosecution seeks trial of 22 including Hasan Mahmud, Nowfel over killing of Wasim, five others
According to the prosecution, ICT-2 took cognisance of formal charges against the 22 accused on 7 April based on three counts. The formal charge sheet had been submitted on 5 April.
The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sought the commencement of trial against 22 individuals, including former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud and former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people, including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Wasim Akram, during the July Movement in Chattogram.
The prosecution concluded its hearing on the framing of charges before the three-member ICT-2 bench led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury today (22 June).
Prosecutor Faruk Ahmed argued that there is a prima facie case against the accused and urged the tribunal to frame formal charges.
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The tribunal, however, fixed tomorrow (23 June) for hearing the defence petitions seeking discharge of the accused from the case.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam said five of the accused are currently under arrest. Among them, former Chattogram-6 MP Fazle Karim Chowdhury did not appear before the tribunal, citing illness.
He noted that under the law, proceedings may continue in the absence of an accused who is unable to attend court due to health reasons. Fazle Karim's legal counsel was present during the hearing.
A hearing on charge framing had originally been scheduled for 4 June, but was deferred after Fazle Karim, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital, failed to appear before the tribunal. Following a petition by his lawyer, the hearing was rescheduled.
The five arrested accused are Fazle Karim Chowdhury, Jubo League leader Azizur Rahman, Touhidul Islam, Md Firoz, and Debashish Pal Debu.
Among the absconding accused are Hasan Mahmud, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, AJM Nasir Uddin, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mohiuddin Bacchu, Helal Akbar, Nurul Azim Rony, Shaibal Das Suman, Abu Saleque, Esbarul Haque, HM Mithu, Nur Mostafa Tinu, Jamir Uddin, Imran Hasan Mahmud, Zakaria Dastagir, Mohiuddin Farhad and Suman Dey.
Earlier, on 13 May, the tribunal appointed state defence lawyers for the 17 fugitive accused. Lawyers Md Amir Hossain, Abul Hasan, Ishrat Jahan and Mohammad Enam have since been representing them.
According to the prosecution, ICT-2 took cognisance of formal charges against the 22 accused on 7 April based on three counts. The formal charge sheet had been submitted on 5 April.
The first charge relates to the killings of Wasim Akram, Faisal Ahmed Shanto and Md Faruk. The second charge concerns the deaths of Tanvir Siddiqui, Saimon alias Mahim and Hriday Chandra.
The third charge alleges that more than 100 students and civilians, including Zahid Hasan, Abdul Kader, Asiya Khatun, Sanjida Sultana and Abdullah, sustained serious injuries during the incidents.
