July Killings: Hanif Gets Death Sentence for Crimes Against Humanity

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday sentenced Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif to death for crimes against humanity over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July Uprising in 2024.

The tribunal also sentenced Kushtia district Awami League President and former Kushtia Zila Parishad chairman Sadar Uddin Khan, district Awami League General Secretary Azgar Ali and Kushtia municipality Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman to imprisonment until death.

A three-member judicial panel headed by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury delivered the verdict. All four accused were tried in absentia.

Hanif was found guilty on counts 1–6 under charge No. 1 and sentenced to death. He was also sentenced to life imprisonment under charges No. 2 and 3.

Sadar Uddin Khan, Azgar Ali and Ataur Rahman were sentenced to imprisonment until death on counts 1–6 under charge No. 1 and life imprisonment under charges No. 2 and 3.

All four accused were also sentenced to life imprisonment under charges No. 4 and 5, which the tribunal considered together.

The tribunal ordered the confiscation of half of the immovable property owned by each convicted person. It directed that proceeds from the sale of the confiscated properties be distributed as compensation to the families of those killed and to people injured during the July 2024 uprising through the July Foundation or another legally recognised organisation.

Allegations and prosecution case

According to the prosecution, the investigation began on March 25 last year, and the investigation agency submitted its report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on September 11. The prosecution subsequently filed formal charges with the tribunal on October 6.

The charges alleged that Hanif supported provocative statements made by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on July 15, 17 and 30 in 2024 by appearing alongside him.

He was also accused of describing protesters as Jamaat activists, terrorists and communal elements at a discussion meeting at the Jatiya Press Club on July 29, 2024, and of directing, instigating, inciting and aiding killings and torture.

The prosecution alleged that, following Hanif’s instructions, Sadar Uddin Khan, Azgar Ali, Ataur Rahman and other Awami League leaders held a meeting at the party’s Kushtia district office on July 27, 2024.

At the meeting, they allegedly portrayed the peaceful movement of unarmed students and members of the public as terrorist activities and instructed party activists to use maximum force to suppress the movement in Kushtia city.

According to the prosecution, activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations opened fire on students and members of the public at several locations in Kushtia city on August 5, 2024, acting on the instructions of the four accused. Six people were killed.

The victims were identified as Ashraful Islam, Suroj Ali, Abdullah Al Mustakin, Md Usama, Babul Farazi and Yusuf Sheikh.

Trial proceedings

Following hearings from both sides, the tribunal ordered the framing of formal charges on November 2.

The trial began on December 8 last year with the prosecution’s opening statement, and witness testimony started the same day.

The tribunal concluded recording testimony on April 23 this year after hearing 19 witnesses. Closing arguments were completed on June 10, after which the case was initially kept awaiting a verdict.

The prosecution later presented additional witnesses and documents, followed by further arguments from both sides. Arguments concluded on October 7, and the tribunal reserved its verdict.

On Tuesday, Tribunal-2 ordered that the verdict be delivered on Thursday.