Testimony to begin today against Nanak, Tapas, 26 others in crimes against humanity case

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 will begin recording testimony today, Monday, June 15, in the case filed over the killing of nine people in Mohammadpur, capital, during the July 2024 mass uprising .

The tribunal has charged 28 individuals, including former minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, several former senior police officials, and leaders of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, with crimes against humanity.

The prosecution will present its opening statement at the start of proceedings before the tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

"The prosecution will present its opening statement (opening statement). After that, the formal testimony phase will begin," a prosecution official said.

The case was scheduled to begin hearing on June 8 but was adjourned for a day following the death of defence lawyer Barrister Aminul Gani Titu.

Among the 28 accused, four are currently in custody: Naimul Hasan Russell, Sazzad Hossain, Omar Faruk and Fazle Rabbi, all leaders of the banned Chhatra League's Mohammadpur thana unit.

The remaining 24 accused are absconding, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Additional DIG Proloy Kumar Joarder, former DMP Joint Commissioner Biprob Kumar Sarker, other law enforcement officials and political figures.

On May 10, the tribunal took cognisance of three formal charges submitted by the prosecution and formally charged the 28 accused. During the charge framing, the four arrested accused pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecution, on July 18 and 19, 2024, during the student-public movement, members of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and law enforcement agencies carried out brutal attacks on protesters, firing on unarmed students and civilians with the direct and indirect instigation and presence of the accused.

Nine people, including Mahmudur Rahman Saeed and Farhan Faiaz, were killed in the attacks. Numerous others were injured.

The case has drawn significant national and international attention as one of the most high-profile accountability proceedings following the fall of the Awami League government in the July 2024 mass uprising.