Tribunal indicts Liton, 37 others over Rajshahi July crimes

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has taken cognisance of formal charges against former Rajshahi City Corporation mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and 37 others over alleged crimes against humanity committed in Rajshahi during the July uprising.The tribunal also issued arrest warrants against 34 accused and ordered the authorities to produce four others before it.A three-member bench headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury passed the order on Tuesday. The other members are Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.The tribunal fixed September 17 for the next hearing.Prosecution presents videosProsecutor Zahirul Amin led the prosecution during the hearing, assisted by prosecutors Faruk Ahmed, Moinul Karim, Marzina Raihan, Shahidul Islam Sardar and Tarek Abdullah.The prosecution presented details of the allegations and showed three videos to the tribunal. It claimed that several accused could be seen firing weapons in the footage and identified some of them, including Zahirul.The prosecution then sought to take cognisance of the charges on the basis of a prima facie case. It also sought arrest warrants for the fugitives and production warrants for those already in custody.Four ordered to be producedThe four accused against whom production warrants were issued are former Rajshahi-3 MP Md Asaduzzaman Asad, Dablu Sarker, Zahirul Islam Rubel and Mohaiminul Islam Manik.The 34 people facing arrest warrants include former mayor Khairuzzaman Liton, Biplab Bijoy Talukdar, Humayun Kabir, Rocky Kumar Ghosh, Rashik Dutta, Bappi Chowdhury Rony, Mahidul Islam Mostafa, Khalid Hasan Biplab, Rashedul Karim Rozel, Mehedi Hasan alias Rony, Zedu Sarker alias Jabedur Rahman, Abdul Hamid Sarker alias Tekon, Anwar Hossain alias Anar, Arman Ali, Abdul Momin and Shahadat Hossain Shahu.Others are Towhidul Haque Sumon, Mahtab Hossain Chowdhury, Alauddin alias Alal, Shariful Islam Babu, Md Nabil Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Rajib, Farhad Hossain Biplab, Taurid Al Masud Rony, Mehedi Hasan Rimon alias Rigen, Ashraful Islam Zafar, Sukanta Kumar Das, Faisal Ahmed Runu, Nur Mohammad Siam, Asadulla-hil-Galib, Golam Kibria, Alal Parvez Lulu, Moniruzzaman Khan alias Monir and Shafiquzzaman alias Shafik.Alleged killings on August 5According to the prosecution, on August 5, 2024, during the July uprising, protester Raihan Ali was shot dead in front of Labanga Restaurant opposite Shekherchak Swachh Tower under Boalia Police Station in Rajshahi city.Around the same time, Anjum Sakib was killed in front of Shah Makhdum College. Several others, including Salman alias Shimul, were also injured, according to the charges.The prosecution said the incidents took place around Shekherchak Swachh Tower, Shah Makhdum College, the Padma River embankment and Alupotti intersection.It described the incidents as crimes against humanity punishable under law.Charges filed on July 30The prosecution formally filed charges against the 38 accused on July 30. Following the hearing, the tribunal took cognisance of the charges on Tuesday.The next hearing is scheduled for September 17.