Inu Receives Effective Ten-Year Sentence in Crimes Tribunal

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has sentenced Hasanul Haq Inu, president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) and a former information minister, to an effective 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a widely discussed crimes against humanity case. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, 30 June, bringing to a close a significant phase of a case linked to the nationwide anti-discrimination student movement and quota reform protests of 2024.

As the judgement was announced, Inu stood in the dock and was seen smiling, drawing the attention of those present in the courtroom. Earlier in the day, prison authorities had brought him from the detention facility to the tribunal for the delivery of the verdict. Like previous proceedings in the case, the announcement of the judgement was broadcast live.

After presenting its observations, the tribunal delivered separate decisions on each of the eight charges brought against the former minister. The court found him guilty on three charges while acquitting him on the remaining five.

According to the judgement, Inu was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment on Charge No. 3, which concerned allegations of torture and political persecution. On Charge No. 6, relating to conspiracy, incitement and participation in criminal acts, the tribunal imposed another 10 years of rigorous imprisonment along with compensation of Tk100,000. A further 10-year sentence and an additional Tk100,000 in compensation were awarded under Charge No. 7, which involved conspiracy-related allegations.

Although the tribunal imposed a combined total of 30 years’ imprisonment across the three convictions, it directed that all sentences would run concurrently. As a result, Inu will serve an effective prison term of 10 years rather than 30.

The tribunal had fixed 30 June for delivery of the judgement during proceedings held on 22 June. Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam represented the prosecution, while senior lawyer Monsurul Haque Chowdhury appeared on behalf of the defence.

The prosecution’s case was supported by an extensive body of documentary and digital evidence. On 25 September last year, investigators submitted a formal charge sheet spanning 39 pages. The filing was accompanied by 1,679 pages of supporting documents, three audio recordings and six video exhibits. Hasanul Haq Inu was the sole accused in the case.

The charge sheet contained eight allegations centred on events surrounding the quota reform and anti-discrimination student movement in 2024. Prosecutors alleged that Inu publicly described demonstrators as members or supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat, terrorists and communal forces, while making statements that encouraged the use of force against protesters.

The prosecution also argued that, as a senior leader of the former 14-party alliance, Inu played a role in formulating, supporting and implementing decisions intended to suppress the movement. According to the allegations, he endorsed measures aimed at controlling the demonstrations through directives, political support and public statements.

State prosecutors further alleged that, during an interview with a foreign media outlet on 18 July, Inu defended the crackdown on the protests. They also stated that he attended a meeting of the 14-party alliance at Ganabhaban on 19 July, chaired by the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, where participants allegedly supported stringent measures to contain the unrest, including military deployment and the imposition of a nationwide curfew.

The charge sheet additionally claimed that on 20 July Inu telephoned the Superintendent of Police in Kushtia and instructed law enforcement officials to identify protesters and take action against them. According to the prosecution, those directives were followed by shootings and crackdowns in different parts of Kushtia. The prosecution alleged that six people—including labourer Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, student Abdullah Al Mustakin, Md Usama, businessman Bablu Farazi and employee Yusuf Sheikh—were killed during the incidents. It also claimed that many others sustained injuries or were detained and subjected to abuse.

Prosecutors further alleged that Inu maintained regular communication with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina throughout the protests and supported the continued use of lethal weapons, enforcement of the curfew, helicopter operations and other measures designed to suppress the demonstrations. They also claimed that his repeated media appearances and public remarks encouraged and justified the ongoing crackdown.

In its judgement, however, the tribunal did not uphold every allegation presented by the prosecution. It concluded that some charges had been established beyond the required legal standard, while others had not been sufficiently proven. On that basis, the court ordered convictions on three charges and acquittals on five others.

The ruling marks a significant milestone in one of the most closely watched prosecutions arising from the events surrounding the 2024 protests. While the tribunal’s decision concludes the trial stage, the legal process is not necessarily over, as both the prosecution and the defence retain the right to challenge the judgement before the higher courts through the appellate process.