Online Desk || The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday sentenced seven people, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, to death in a case over killings during the July-August uprising.The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, pronounced the verdict. The other members of the panel are Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.The other six convicts are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim; former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat; Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; and former Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. All seven convicts are currently absconding.The investigation in the case began on June 18, 2025. After a lengthy investigation, the investigation team submitted its report to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor on December 7 that year. Following scrutiny, the formal charges were submitted to Tribunal-2 on December 18.The tribunal took cognisance of the charges the same day. After proceedings involving arrest warrants, newspaper notices and the appointment of state defence counsel, the tribunal ordered the trial to begin on January 22 this year by framing charges against the seven accused.The formal trial began on February 17 with the prosecution's opening statement and the testimony of the first witness.A total of 29 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testified in the case. The testimony also included a statement given by Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi before his death. The evidence phase concluded on August 2.The prosecution began its closing arguments on August 4, followed by arguments from the state defence. The process was completed in nine working days on August 17, when the tribunal kept the case waiting for verdict and fixed September 15 for its pronouncement. A total of 123 series of documents were admitted as exhibits.Prosecution's allegationsAccording to the prosecution, the accused jointly issued instructions, incited violence and made provocative statements during the July-August movement. They allegedly called on party activists to take to the streets and resist the protesters, while also planning violence at several meetings.The prosecution further alleged that the accused played roles in armed attacks, severe repression and efforts to control the media in different places. Their actions allegedly contributed to killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country, which the prosecution said amounted to crimes against humanity.Allegations against Obaidul QuaderThe prosecution alleged that during the July 2024 mass movement, law enforcement agencies under the authority and control of Obaidul Quader, then general secretary of the Awami League and former road transport and bridges minister, as well as armed members of the Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and other affiliated organisations, carried out widespread and systematic attacks on unarmed students and members of the public.According to the prosecution, the killings and acts of torture were committed on the instructions of, and with the instigation, abetment, assistance, involvement and knowledge of, Quader.Allegations against AFM Bahauddin NasimThe prosecution alleged that law enforcement agencies under the authority and control of AFM Bahauddin Nasim, then joint general secretary of the Awami League, along with armed members of the Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and other affiliated organisations, carried out widespread and systematic attacks, killings and torture against unarmed students and members of the public.The prosecution said these acts were committed with his instruction, instigation, abetment, assistance, involvement and knowledge.Allegations against Mohammad Ali ArafatThe prosecution alleged that law enforcement agencies under the authority and control of Mohammad Ali Arafat, an Awami League leader and then information minister, along with armed members of the Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and other affiliated organisations, carried out widespread and systematic attacks on unarmed students and members of the public.The prosecution said the killings and torture were committed with Arafat's instruction, instigation, abetment, assistance, involvement and knowledge.Allegations against Sheikh Fazle Shams ParashAccording to the prosecution, law enforcement agencies under the authority and control of Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, along with armed members of the Jubo League and other Awami League-affiliated organisations, carried out widespread and systematic attacks, killings and torture against unarmed students and members of the public.The prosecution alleged that these acts were committed with his instruction, instigation, abetment, assistance, involvement and knowledge.Allegations against Mainul Hossain Khan NikhilThe prosecution alleged that law enforcement agencies under the authority and control of Jubo League General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, together with armed members of the Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League and other affiliated organisations, carried out widespread and systematic attacks, killings and torture against unarmed students and members of the public.The prosecution said the offences were committed with Nikhil's instruction, instigation, abetment, assistance, involvement and knowledge.Allegations against Saddam HossainThe prosecution alleged that Saddam Hossain, then central president of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, carried out, through armed members of the Chhatra League and other Awami League-affiliated organisations under his authority and control, widespread and systematic attacks against unarmed students and members of the public across the country.The prosecution said the killings and torture were committed with his instruction, instigation, abetment, assistance, involvement and knowledge.Allegations against Sheikh Wali Asif EnanThe prosecution alleged that Sheikh Wali Asif Enan, then central general secretary of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, carried out, through armed members of the Chhatra League and other Awami League-affiliated organisations under his authority and control, widespread and systematic attacks against unarmed students and members of the public across the country.According to the prosecution, the killings and torture were committed with Enan's instruction, instigation, abetment, assistance, involvement and knowledge. The prosecution said the accused committed crimes against humanity under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, through killings, attempted killings, torture and other inhumane acts, as well as incitement, provocation, conspiracy and participation in the crimes, and by failing to prevent their commission. It said these acts constitute punishable offences under the Act.