Verdict against Quader, 6 others in crimes against humanity case today

The wait is finally ending today (Tuesday). The International Crimes Tribunal will deliver its verdict in the case of crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other top leaders of Chhatra League and Jubo League. The verdict will determine the fate of these seven fugitive leaders. The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment for them.

The three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-2, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, will deliver the verdict on Tuesday, September 15. The other members of the panel are Judge Md Manjurul Bashid and Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

Apart from Obaidul Quader, the other accused in the case are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Wali Asif Inan. All seven accused are currently absconding.

The prosecution said the tribunal had kept the verdict pending after both sides concluded their arguments in the case of crimes against humanity during the July mass uprising. The verdict will finally be delivered today. The investigation into the case began on June 18, 2025. After a long investigation, officials submitted a report to the Chief Prosecutor's Office on December 7 of the same year. After scrutiny, it was submitted to the tribunal as formal charges on December 18.

The tribunal accepted the charges the same day. After completing steps including arrest warrants, newspaper notices, appointment of state defence and hearings, the tribunal ordered the start of trial by framing formal charges against the seven accused on January 22 this year. The formal trial began on February 17 with the prosecution's opening statement and the recording of the first witness's testimony.

A total of 29 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified. These included the statement given by the late Sharif Osman Hadi before his death. The testimony phase concluded on August 2. Two days later, on August 4, the prosecution began its arguments. The prosecution and state defence phase concluded on August 17 after nine working days. The verdict was kept pending that day, with the date for pronouncement set for September 15. A total of 123 series of documents were exhibited in the case.

According to the prosecution's allegations, the accused coordinated orders, incitement and provocative statements to suppress the movement in July-August. They called on leaders and activists to take to the streets to build resistance and planned violence at multiple meetings. In some places, they were involved in armed attacks, harsh repression and media control. Their actions resulted in killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country, which is punishable as crimes against humanity.