Inu Gets 30-Year Sentence in Tribunal Case

Former Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has been sentenced to a total of 30 years’ imprisonment on eight charges by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-2. However, as the court ordered all the sentences to run concurrently rather than consecutively, he will effectively serve 10 years in prison.

The verdict was delivered on Tuesday (30 June) by a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2 headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other members of the bench were Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

According to court sources, Hasanul Haq Inu was the sole accused in the case. Before reaching its decision, the tribunal examined all eight charges, reviewed the evidence presented during the trial, heard witness testimonies, and considered the legal arguments submitted by both the prosecution and the defence.

Although the tribunal imposed separate prison terms for each of the eight charges, it ruled that all sentences would be served simultaneously. Under this legal principle, multiple prison terms begin and run at the same time instead of one after another. As a result, while the cumulative sentence amounts to 30 years, Inu will legally serve only the longest individual sentence, which totals 10 years.

The judgment marks the conclusion of the tribunal proceedings after the completion of all key stages of the trial, including the framing of charges, examination of witnesses, presentation of documentary evidence, cross-examination, and final arguments from both sides.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal is a special court established under national law to hear cases that fall within its jurisdiction, including crimes against humanity and other offences specified under the relevant legislation. The tribunal follows a judicial process that includes formal charges, evidentiary hearings, legal submissions, and judicial assessment before delivering its verdict.

Hasanul Haq Inu has been an active figure in Bangladeshi politics for many years and previously served as the country’s Information Minister. The case against him proceeded through the tribunal’s prescribed legal process before reaching Tuesday’s final judgment.

While the ruling concludes the trial at the tribunal level, it does not necessarily bring the legal process to an end. In accordance with the applicable laws and procedural rules, the parties retain the right to seek further legal remedies. This includes filing an appeal before the appropriate higher court if they choose to challenge any aspect of the verdict.

The tribunal’s decision therefore represents a significant milestone in the case, while any subsequent developments will depend on the exercise of those legal rights and the outcome of any future appellate proceedings.