The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has sentenced seven defendants, including banned Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, to death in a case of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.
The other defendants sentenced to death are Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Wali Asif Inan. All seven defendants are currently absconding.
The three-member judicial panel of Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, announced the verdict at around 12:15 pm on Tuesday (September 15). The other two members of the panel are Judge Md. Manjurul Bashid and Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
According to prosecution sources, the investigation into the case began on June 18, 2025. After a long investigation, the investigation report was submitted to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on December 7. After scrutiny, a formal complaint was filed with the tribunal on December 18. The complaint was taken into consideration by Tribunal-2 on the same day. Later, after various legal procedures including arrest warrants, newspaper advertisements and appointment of state defense, charges were framed against the seven accused on January 22, 2026 and an order was given to start the trial.
The formal trial began on February 17 with the prosecution’s opening statement and the testimony of the first witness. A total of 29 people, including the investigation officer, testified. This included the statement given before the death of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. The testimony ended on August 2. The arguments that began on August 4 were concluded on August 17 after 9 working days, and the case was kept pending for verdict on the same day. A total of 123 series of documents have been displayed in the case.
According to the prosecution’s allegations, the defendants coordinated their orders, incitement and provocative speeches to suppress the July-August movement. In addition to calling on leaders and activists to take to the streets to build resistance, they also planned violence in various meetings. They are also accused of playing a role in armed attacks, severe repression and media control in some places. As a result of these activities, murders, attempted murders and widespread violence have occurred, which are punishable as crimes against humanity, the prosecution claims.