Hanif sentenced to death in crimes against humanity case
Photo: Mahbubul Alam Hanif
Mahbubul Alam Hanif, joint general secretary of the now banned Awami League, has been sentenced to death by a tribunal in a crime against humanity case over the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising. The three other defendants in the case have been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for the rest of their lives.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal 2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, delivered the verdict on Thursday.
The three defendants sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for the rest of their lives are Kushtia district Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Azgar Ali and Kushtia city Awami League General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata. All four defendants are currently absconding.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the tribunal scheduled Thursday for the announcement of the verdict. On June 10, Tribunal 2 kept the case awaiting judgment after the prosecution and defense concluded their arguments and counterarguments.
The testimony of 19 witnesses was completed on April 23 with the cross examination of the investigation officer. However, the arguments were presented again after the prosecution submitted additional evidence.
On November 2 last year, Tribunal 2 ordered the trial to begin after framing formal charges against the four defendants. Before that, the prosecution submitted the formal charges to the tribunal on October 5.
The charges were taken into cognizance the following day, October 6. The defendants were accused of making provocative statements, conspiracy and the killing of six people in Kushtia.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim represented the prosecution, while state appointed lawyer Amir Hossain represented the defense.
