Testimony in case against 28 including Nanak, Taposh deferred to Oct 12

Scheduled testimony in the crimes against humanity case against 28 accused, including former minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak and former mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, over the killing of nine people in the capital's Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur areas during the July mass uprising, did not take place. International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set October 12 for the next testimony.

Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury gave the order on Thursday, October 8, following a prosecution request for time. The tenth prosecution witness was scheduled to testify on that day. Although the witness appeared before the tribunal as scheduled, the prosecution sought time as the investigation officer's testimony was being recorded in another case.

Earlier, on September 30, Sabrina Afroz Sebonti, sister of the deceased Mahamudur Rahman Saikat, testified as the ninth witness in the case. Her testimony described how her brother was killed by police bullets on Nurjahan Road in Mohammadpur on July 19, 2024.

According to the case complaint, nine people were killed in total in incidents in Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur areas on July 18 and 19, 2024. On July 18, Farhan Faiyaz, Mahin Mia and Roni were killed, and the next day Al Shahriar Hossain, Raju Ahmed, Mahamudur Rahman Saikat, Ismail, Jasim Uddin and Zobaed Hossain Emon were killed.

Of the 28 accused in the case, four are currently in jail. They are Mohammadpur Thana Chhatra League President Naeemul Hasan Rasel, former Vice President Md Sazzad Hossain, former Ansar member Mohammad Omar Faruk and Jubo League activist KM Fazle Rabbi. Among the remaining accused, 24, including Nanak and Taposh, are absconding.

Earlier, International Crimes Tribunal-1 ordered the trial to begin by framing three formal charges against the accused. The trial over allegations of attacks and killings of protesters in the case is ongoing. The next prosecution testimony is scheduled to be held on October 12.