The prosecution yesterday sought the maximum punishment for Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other leaders of the party and its affiliated organisations.
It said exemplary punishment was needed to prevent politicians from turning against the people after getting a public mandate.
Concluding the prosecution’s final arguments in a crimes against humanity case over atrocities committed during the July uprising, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam told International Crimes Tribunal-2 that the prosecution proved all four charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
“They don’t deserve any mercy. They don’t have any mitigating factors; rather, there are aggravating factors.”
Referring to Quader as a “political joker” or “political clown”, Aminul said some of his remarks and statements at different times could not be considered those of a political leader.
The other accused are AL Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Moinul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
All the accused are absconding.
During the arguments, the prosecution alleged that Bahauddin helped organise and facilitate the party’s response, while Arafat played a role in controlling the media and suppressing reports of killings and violence. It accused Parash and Nikhil of mobilising Jubo League activists. It said Nikhil had opened fire on protesters.
It said BCL leaders Saddam and Enan were involved in assembling armed cadres and coordinating attacks.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/july-uprising-case-death-penalty-sought-quader-and-six-others-4246566
