Inu Jailed for 10 Years in Crimes Against Humanity Case
Hasanul Haq Inu. File Photo
The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President and former Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu to 10 years' imprisonment on three charges in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July Mass Uprising.
Although the tribunal handed down three separate 10-year sentences, it ordered that they run concurrently, meaning Inu will serve 10 years in prison. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
Hasanul Haq Inu, the sole accused in the case, was present in court when the verdict was announced.
Earlier, on May 14 this year, both the prosecution and the defense concluded their closing arguments, after which the case was kept awaiting judgment.
The prosecution brought eight specific charges against Inu. Among them were allegations that, during the July Mass Uprising, he was involved in the killing of six people in his constituency of Kushtia, incited attacks on protesters, instructed security forces to open fire on demonstrators alongside former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and telephoned the Kushtia Superintendent of Police with orders to shoot at protesters.
The prosecution submitted the formal charge sheet on September 25, 2025, and the tribunal framed charges against the accused on November 2, 2025. Testimony began on December 1, during which ten prosecution witnesses testified. The defense presented two witnesses. Final arguments commenced on April 13, 2026, and concluded on May 14.
According to the prosecution, on August 5 last year, following an alleged conspiracy, planning, and directives by Sheikh Hasina, Hasanul Haq Inu, and Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif, leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations, along with police personnel, opened fire on unarmed student protesters and civilians at various locations across Kushtia town.
The prosecution said six people—Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, Abdullah Al Mustakin, Mohammad Usama, Bablu Farazi, and Yusuf Sheikh—were killed in the shootings.
According to the charge sheet, Inu allegedly sought to discredit the protest movement by labeling demonstrators as BNP and Jamaat activists, terrorists, and communal extremists, thereby inciting the use of force against them.
The prosecution argued that the charges against Inu had been proven beyond reasonable doubt and sought the maximum punishment. The defense, however, maintained that the allegations had not been proven and requested his acquittal.
Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam, Prosecutor Mizanul Islam, and Prosecutor Faruk Ahmad represented the state, while Mansurul Haque Chowdhury and Sifat Mahmud appeared for the defense.
