The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the start of trial proceedings against 28 accused, including former Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas and Awami League Presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, in a case over the killing of nine people in Mohammadpur during the July Movement.
The order was issued on Sunday, May 10, by a two-member tribunal led by ICT-1 Chairman Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder. Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury is the other member of the panel.
The tribunal also fixed June 8 for opening statements and recording of witness testimony.
During Sunday's hearing, Judge Mohitul Haque read out the three charges against the accused. Four accused who appeared before the tribunal denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The four arrested accused are Mohammadpur Police Station branch Chhatra League president Naimul Hasan Russell, vice presidents Sajjad Hossain, Omar Faruk and Fazle Rabbi.
According to the prosecution, Awami League leaders, Chhatra League activists and members of law enforcement agencies carried out attacks on students and protesters during demonstrations on July 18 and 19, 2024.
The prosecution alleged that the accused directly and indirectly encouraged the violence, leading to the deaths of nine people, including Mahmudur Rahman Saikat and Farhan Fayyaz, and injuries to many others.
Several accused remain absconding, including Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Additional DIG Prolay Kumar Joarder and former DMP Joint Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar.
Prosecutors Gazi MH Tamim, Tarek Abdullah, Shahidul Islam Sardar and Abdus Sattar Palawan appeared for the prosecution during the hearing.
