Top 4 Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders face death penalty

The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced four top leaders of Jubo League and Chhatra League—key associate organizations of the banned Awami League—to death for crimes against humanity committed during the suppression of the July 2024 movement.

In a verdict announced on Tuesday, the tribunal awarded the death penalty to seven individuals for ordering, inciting, and conspiring in the killings and attacks on protesters. Among them are banned Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, banned Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.

Three senior leaders of the major political party, Awami League, were also sentenced to death in the same case: General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Joint General Secretary A. F. M. Bahauddin Nasim, and Central Executive Committee member, Mohammad A. Arafat.

This marks the seventh verdict delivered in cases concerning crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. In the previous six verdicts, 61 individuals were sentenced, including ousted Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who has taken refuge in India. Obaidul Quader, who is also currently in India, has now received the same sentence.

The formal charges against Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash said following instructions from Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader, he directed Jubo League members to crush the movement. Armed with firearms and domestic weapons, members of Jubo League carried out attacks across the country, resulting in the deaths and injuries of unarmed students and citizens. The tribunal noted that Parash played a key leadership role in ordering these acts, which contributed to an overall toll of over 1,400 deaths and more than 25,000 injuries.

Regarding Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, charges highlighted that on July 12, 2024, during an event at the Sylhet City Corporation, he mocked the protesters and instructed Jubo League activists and followers to remain prepared to resist the movement.
According to the charges, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil held a show of arms in Mirpur on July 19 under instructions and incitement from Obaidul Quader, launching attacks and firing on protesters. The indictment says that under his direct command and leadership, indiscriminate firing in Mirpur resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including Rustam and Asif Iqbal.

Additionally, charges state that under Mainul's presence and supervision in Mirpur, 12 people including Shahriar Hasan were killed on August 4, and 20 people including Mahfuzul Alam were killed on August 5. Overall, he was charged with involvement in the killings of over 1,400 people and the injuries of more than 25,000 protesters.

The formal charges against Saddam Hossain points out that on July 11, 2024, he threatened and incited action against protesters during a Chhatra League rally at the Raju Sculpture in Dhaka University. To execute instructions from Obaidul Quader, Saddam directed and urged armed Chhatra League cadres across the country to launch attacks on the demonstrators.

On July 15, Saddam publicly stated that Chhatra League would politically counter the quota reform movement, following up the next day with direct threats against the protesters. Consequently, armed groups of Chhatra League attacked general students at various educational institutions nationwide, resulting in six deaths on July 16 and injuries to over 400 students the following day.

Regarding Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, charges indicate that he formulated plans, issued directives, and accepted funds to suppress the movement. On July 13, he delivered aggressive and provocative speeches at Madhur Canteen, intimidating the demonstrators, and on July 15, he instructed cadres to dismantle the student movement.

Under Inan's leadership, members from the Chhatra League central committee, Dhaka University, Dhaka Metropolitan North and South, and Dhaka College units attacked protesters in the Dhaka University area. Inan also endorsed Saddam's threats at Raju Sculpture on July 16, the day six people were killed nationwide.

The prosecution team filed formal charges in this case on December 18. Following the trial's commencement, witness testimonies concluded on August 2, with 29 witnesses testifying for the state, including the investigating officer.

The anti-discrimination student movement began in July 2024 demanding quota reform in government jobs, eventually escalating into a bloody mass uprising. Ultimately, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 of that year.