Tribunal Verdict Divides Both Prosecution and Defence

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has sentenced Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) President Hasanul Haq Inu to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and ordered him to pay Tk 200,000 in compensation after convicting him on three charges of crimes against humanity linked to the July uprising. The verdict, however, has drawn contrasting reactions, with prosecutors expressing dissatisfaction over the sentence and acquittals on several charges, while the defence rejected the judgment outright as politically motivated.

The judgment was delivered on Tuesday by a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with Justice Md Manzurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir serving as members of the bench.

Inu, the sole accused in the case, had faced eight charges relating to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. The prosecution accused him of involvement in incitement, conspiracy, supporting the use of lethal force against demonstrators, endorsing repressive measures against protesters and participating in offences that included the killings of labourer Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, student Abdullah Al Mustakin, Usama, businessman Bablu Forazi and employee Yusuf Sheikh.

After reviewing the evidence, the tribunal found Inu guilty on three of the eight charges and acquitted him of the remaining five.

The court sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Charge No. 3 for persecution, political oppression and the torture of victims, including Raisul Haque and others, under relevant provisions of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.

The tribunal also imposed two additional sentences of 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under Charges 6 and 7 for conspiracy, incitement and aiding the commission of the offences. It further ordered Inu to pay Tk 100,000 in compensation for each of the two charges, bringing the total compensation to Tk 200,000.

Although the combined sentences totalled 30 years, the tribunal ruled that all three prison terms would run concurrently. As a result, Inu will serve a single 10-year prison sentence.

The judgment was delivered in open court after Inu was brought before the tribunal from prison. Proceedings were broadcast live on Bangladesh Television.

According to those present in the courtroom, Inu smiled after the verdict was read out. Present during the proceedings were Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam, prosecutors including Md Mizanul Islam, Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim and B M Sultan Mahmud, along with officials from the tribunal’s investigation agency. Senior advocate Monsurul Haque Chowdhury represented the accused.

The tribunal’s judgment detailed the three charges on which Inu was convicted.

Charge No. 3 alleged that on 20 July he telephoned the Superintendent of Police in Kushtia and instructed law enforcement officials to identify protesters from video footage before suppressing the movement through arrests, torture and killings.

Under Charge No. 6, the prosecution alleged that Inu attended a meeting of the 14-party alliance on 29 July 2024, where protesters were described as members of Jamaat-e-Islami, terrorists and communal elements. The charge further alleged that supporting the decision to ban Jamaat-e-Islami amounted to an attempt to legitimise the killings and repression carried out against demonstrators.

Charge No. 7 alleged that on 4 August 2024 Inu participated in decisions describing protesters as militants, endorsed the imposition of a curfew and supported the use of live ammunition against demonstrators while directing subordinate authorities to implement those decisions.

Following the verdict, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said the prosecution was not satisfied with the outcome.

He told journalists that the prosecution intends to appeal both the acquittals and the sentence, seeking convictions on the remaining charges and harsher punishment for those on which Inu was found guilty.

“We are not satisfied with this verdict,” he said. “We will appeal against the acquittals and seek an enhancement of the sentence.”

The defence responded with equal criticism.

While being escorted back to his prison cell, Inu addressed journalists, describing the judgment as a “farcical trial”. He alleged that the verdict had been delivered at the behest of Tarique Rahman and claimed it was politically motivated. Referring to his imprisonment during the rule of former President Ziaur Rahman, he remarked that he had once again been sentenced by “Zia’s son”. He also commented that the verdict had at least ended a prolonged period of uncertainty for him.

His wife, former Member of Parliament Afroza Haque Rina, also condemned the judgment. Speaking to reporters outside the tribunal, she described it as “the worst misuse of the law” and “the worst injustice”, saying the family rejected the verdict and would consult lawyers and party leaders before deciding on the next legal steps.

The case was formally investigated beginning on 25 March last year. After approximately five and a half months of investigation, the tribunal’s investigation agency submitted its report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on 11 September. Following scrutiny, a formal charge was filed on 25 September, and the tribunal took cognisance of the case on the same day.

Formal charges were framed against Inu on 2 November, after which the trial commenced. The prosecution presented its opening statement on 30 November, while witness testimony began the following day. A total of 10 prosecution witnesses, including the investigating officer, testified during the trial, while the defence produced two witnesses.

Final arguments began on 13 April and concluded on 14 May, after which the tribunal reserved its judgment. The case returned to the cause list on 22 June, when 30 June was fixed for delivery of the verdict.

This marks the fifth judgment delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal concerning alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. Earlier verdicts in five related cases resulted in death sentences for 16 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

Hasanul Haq Inu has remained in custody since his arrest by police in Dhaka’s Uttara area on 26 August 2024, following the fall of the Awami League government.