Obaidul Quader, Six Others Sentenced to Death in July Crimes Against Humanity Case
A court has sentenced seven people, including banned Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, to death in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed during the July movement.
The other accused in the case 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, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Wali Asif Enan.
A three-member judicial panel of International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, delivered the verdict on Tuesday (September 15). The other two members of the panel are Judges Md Manzurul Bashid and Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
The investigation into the case began on June 18, 2025. After a lengthy investigation, officials submitted the report to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor on December 7 of the same year. Following scrutiny, a formal charge was submitted to the tribunal on December 18.
The same day, Tribunal-2 took cognisance of the charges. After proceedings including arrest warrants, newspaper notices and the appointment of state defence counsel, the tribunal ordered the trial to begin by framing formal charges against the seven accused on January 22 this year.
The formal trial proceedings began on February 17 with the prosecution’s opening statement and the testimony of the first witness.
A total of 29 witnesses, including investigating officers, testified in the case. The evidence also included a statement given by Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi before his death.
The testimony phase concluded on August 2. Two days later, on August 4, the prosecution began its closing arguments. The prosecution and state defence completed the arguments after nine working days on August 17. The case was kept pending for verdict on the same day, and September 15 was set as the date for pronouncing the judgment.
A total of 123 series of documents were submitted as exhibits in the case.
According to the allegations brought by the prosecution, the accused jointly issued instructions, made inciting statements and instigated efforts to suppress the July-August movement. They called on their leaders and activists to take to the streets and build resistance, while also planning violence at several meetings.
In some places, they allegedly played roles in armed attacks, severe repression and controlling the media. The prosecution alleged that their activities resulted in killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country, which constitute punishable crimes against humanity.
