Inu Faces Verdict in Crimes Against Humanity Case

The International Crimes Tribunal is set to deliver its verdict on Tuesday in the crimes against humanity case filed against Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) President Hasanul Haq Inu over alleged offences committed during the July mass uprising. Ahead of the judgement, Inu was brought from prison to the tribunal under security arrangements.

The case, in which Inu is the sole accused, centres on eight charges. Among the most serious are allegations that he ordered the killing of six protesters in Kushtia during the July uprising and incited attacks on demonstrators across the country.

The verdict will be delivered by International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other members of the bench are Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. The proceedings are scheduled to be broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV).

The ruling will mark the sixth verdict delivered by the tribunal in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising, a series of events that triggered multiple investigations into allegations of unlawful killings, violence and other serious offences.

According to the prosecution, the investigation into the case began on 25 March 2025. Investigators submitted their report on 11 September of the same year, while the formal charge sheet was filed before the tribunal on 25 September. After hearing submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, the tribunal formally framed charges on 2 November.

The trial officially commenced on 30 November with opening statements. Testimony began the following day, when the prosecution started presenting evidence before the court. In total, the prosecution produced ten witnesses, while the defence called two witnesses in support of its case.

Closing arguments began on 13 April this year and concluded on 13 May. Following the completion of arguments, the tribunal kept the matter pending for judgement before fixing 22 June as the date to announce the verdict.

The prosecution’s case includes eight separate allegations. The first claims that on 18 July 2024, during an interview with an Indian media outlet, Inu described participants in the July movement as members of Jamaat, terrorists and communal elements. Prosecutors allege that he encouraged the use of force against demonstrators, instigated violence and issued directions that resulted in killings.

The second charge relates to a meeting of the then-ruling 14-party alliance held at Ganabhaban on 19 July 2024 under the leadership of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prosecutors allege that the meeting endorsed a “shoot at sight” policy to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement and that Inu participated in approving, encouraging and facilitating its implementation.

The third allegation accuses him of instructing the Superintendent of Police in Kushtia by telephone to identify protesters from photographs, prepare lists of participants and arrange for their arrest and torture.

The fourth charge alleges that he supported the use of lethal weapons to suppress the movement and was involved in planning aerial attacks using helicopters alongside the deployment of armed groups.

The fifth allegation concerns statements made to the media, which prosecutors claim incited violence and publicly justified the government’s actions, including killings and acts of repression carried out during the protests.

Under the sixth charge, Inu is accused of participating in the decision taken at a meeting of the 14-party alliance to ban Jamaat-e-Islami.

The seventh allegation states that he was involved in an alleged conspiracy through telephone communications with Sheikh Hasina.

The eighth and most serious charge alleges that on 5 August 2024, Inu instructed the killing of six protesters in Kushtia—Yusuf Sheikh, Usama, Suruj Ali Babu, Ashraful Islam, Babul Farazi and Abdullah Al Mustakin. Prosecutors also allege that he played a role in directing actions that resulted in the deaths of around 1,400 people and injuries to more than 25,000 students and civilians nationwide during the unrest.

The tribunal’s judgement is expected to determine whether the prosecution has proved these allegations beyond reasonable doubt after months of investigation, witness testimony and legal arguments. The verdict is being closely watched as another significant milestone in the ongoing judicial process concerning alleged crimes committed during the July mass uprising.