Seven, including Chhatra League president and secretary, sentenced to death by BNP government’s ‘kangaroo court’

Staff Reporter

The Kangaroo Court – International Crimes Tribunal run by the BNP government has hanged Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Wali Asif Inan for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Movement.

In the same verdict, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, 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 were also sentenced to death.

The verdict was announced by a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal-2, on Tuesday, September 15, at 12:15 pm. 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 this case began on June 18, 2025. After the investigation, the officials submitted a report to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office on December 7 of the same year. After verification, a formal charge was submitted to the tribunal on December 18.

The same day, Tribunal-2 took cognizance of the complaint. After a series of hearings including arrest warrants, newspaper advertisements, and appointment of state defense, an order was issued to begin the trial by framing formal charges against the seven accused on January 22 of this year. The formal trial of the case began on February 17 with the presentation of the prosecution’s opening statement and the recording of the testimony of the first witness.

A total of 29 people, including the investigation officer, gave testimonies. This includes the statement given before Osman Hadi’s death. In all, the testimony was completed on August 2. Two days later, on August 4, the prosecution began its arguments. This phase of the prosecution and state defense concluded in 9 working days on August 17. And the verdict was awaited on that day. The date of the verdict was given on September 15.

A total of 123 series of documents have been displayed in this case.

Allegations against Saddam Hussein

According to the prosecution, during the July 2024 movement, Bangladesh Chhatra League Central President Md. Saddam Hossain committed the crime of murder and torture by attacking and killing protesters on a large scale by the Chhatra League and other organ-organizations of the Awami League under his control throughout the country. It is claimed that this was committed with the instructions, instigation, incitement, assistance, involvement and knowledge of the accused.

Allegations against Sheikh Wali Asif Inan

According to the prosecution, during the July 24th movement, Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, the central general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League, along with other organ-organizations of the Awami League under his control and control, attacked and tortured protesters on a large scale across the country, committing the crime of murder and torture. It is claimed that this was committed with the instructions, incitement, instigation, assistance, involvement and knowledge of the accused.