ICT verdict against Obaidul Quader, 6 others today

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is set to deliver its verdict today (Tuesday) in the case against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other leaders of the party and its affiliated organisations over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 mass uprising.

The three-member ICT-2, headed by its Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, fixed the date through a short order on Monday. The other members are Judge Md Manjurul Bashid and Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

Apart from Quader, the other six accused are Awami League central leaders and former ministers AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Mohammad Ali Arafat; Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and its General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) President Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. The case was kept for verdict after the prosecution and defence concluded their closing arguments. The prosecution concluded its six-day closing arguments on 12 August, followed by five days of arguments from two state-appointed defence lawyers.

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The prosecution sought the death penalty for all seven accused and requested directives from the tribunal regarding confiscation of their properties.

ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam and other prosecutors argued that all four charges had been proved beyond reasonable doubt. They alleged that more than 1,400 protesters were killed and over 25,000 seriously injured in widespread and systematic attacks carried out with the accused’s knowledge and involvement.