ICT frames charges against Hasan Mahmud, Nowfel, 20 others over July Uprising killings

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) today (30 June) framed formal charges against 22 individuals, including former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud and former education minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel, in a crimes against humanity case linked to killings in Chattogram during the 2024 July Uprising.

The two-member tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, also fixed 6 August for opening statements and witness testimony.

Five of the accused are currently in custody – Fazle Karim Chowdhury, Azizur Rahman, Towhidul Islam, Md Firoz and Debashish Pal Debu.

Tribunal chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury read out the charges and asked the detained accused whether they pleaded guilty.

Four of those present pleaded not guilty. Fazle Karim Chowdhury, who was brought to court on an ambulance stretcher, did not stand in the dock.

The tribunal subsequently framed charges against all 22 accused and scheduled the next hearing for opening statements and witness testimony.

The remaining accused, who are absconding, are Hasan Mahmud, Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel, former Chattogram City Corporation mayors AJM Nasir Uddin and Rezaul Karim, Mohiuddin Bacchu, Helal Akbar, Nurul Azim Rony, Shaibal Das Sumon, Abu Saleh, Esbarul Haque, HM Mithu, Nur Mostafa Tinu, Jamir Uddin, Imran Hasan Mahmud, Zakaria Dastagir, Mohiuddin Farhad and Sumon Dey.

The prosecution team was led by Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam and included prosecutors Mizanul Islam, Faruk Ahmad, Moinul Karim and Abdus Sattar Palowan. The defence was represented by Abdul Kaiyum and state-appointed defence lawyers.

Defence lawyers concluded their arguments against the framing of charges and sought the discharge of all 22 accused yesterday.

They argued that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient grounds for trial. State-appointed lawyers also sought the discharge of the absconding accused.

Previously, on 22 June, the prosecution urged the tribunal to frame charges against all 22 accused, arguing that there was sufficient prima facie evidence to proceed.

Earlier, on 7 April, the tribunal took cognisance of the formal charges under three counts after the prosecution submitted the charge sheet on 5 April.

According to the charge sheet, the case concerns the deaths of six people, including Chhatra Dal leader Wasim Akram, in Chattogram during the 2024 July Uprising.

The first charge relates to the killings of Wasim, Faisal Ahmed Shanto and Md Faruk. The second concerns the deaths of Tanvir Siddique, Saimon alias Mahim and Hriday Chandra.

The third charge alleges that more than 100 people, including Jahid Hasan, Abdul Kader, Asiya Khatun, Sanjida Sultana and Abdullah, suffered serious injuries during the movement.