Hearing on framing charges against Hasan Mahmud, 22 others today

A hearing on framing formal charges against 22 accused, including former foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people, including Wasim, during the July 2024 mass uprising in Chattogram, will be held today, Monday, June 22.

The hearing will take place before a three-member judicial panel of the International Crimes Tribunal-2, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

According to tribunal sources, the prosecution will first present arguments in favour of framing charges. Defence lawyers will then present their arguments seeking discharge from the charges.

Earlier, the hearing was scheduled for June 4 but was postponed after an arrested accused, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital, could not be produced before the court.

Currently, five accused are in custody: former MP for Chattogram-6 Fazle Karim Chowdhury, Jubo League leaders Azizur Rahman, Touhidul Islam, Md Firoz, and Debashish Pal Debu.

The absconding accused include former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, former Chattogram City Corporation mayor A J M Nasir Uddin, Rezaul Karim, Mohiuddin Bachchu, Helal Akbar, Nurul Azim Roni, Shailo Das Sumon, Abu Salek, Esbarul Haque, H M Mithu, Noor Mostafa Tinu, Jamir Uddin, Imran Hasan Mahmud, Zakaria Dastgir, Mohiuddin Farhad and Sumon De.

On May 13, the tribunal ordered the appointment of state defence for the 17 absconding accused. Lawyers Md Amir Hossain, Abul Hasan, Ishrat Jahan and Mohammad Enam are representing them.

On April 7, the tribunal took cognisance of formal charges against the 22 accused in three counts. The prosecution had submitted the formal charge sheet on April 5.