New Delhi: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-2 sentenced senior Awami League leader, Mahbubul Alam Hanif to death on Thursday for crimes against humanity linked to the killing of six protesters in Kushtia during the 2024 uprising. Three other party leaders received imprisonment until death in the same case, with all four convicted in absentia and still at large.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, delivered its verdict against Hanif, an Awami League joint general secretary, and Kushtia district party president Sadruddin Khan; district general secretary, Azgar Ali; and city unit general secretary, Ataur Rahman Ata. Khan also formerly chaired the district council.
Prosecution’s account of Kushtia killings
The case concerned the deaths of Ashraful Islam, Suruj Ali Babu, Abdullah Al Mustakin, Osama, Bablu Farazi and Yusuf Sheikh, who were shot in Kushtia on August 5, 2024, as protests intensified before then prime minister, Sheikh Hasina’s government fell.
Prosecutors alleged that Hanif endorsed inflammatory statements portraying demonstrators as criminals and extremist elements.They also said local Awami League leaders held a meeting at the party’s Kushtia office on July 27 on his instructions, where activists were directed to use maximum force against protesters.
The prosecution accused party members, acting with police support, of firing on unarmed demonstrators. The tribunal found the defendants guilty of crimes against humanity. Hanif also received life imprisonment under additional counts, while the other three were given further life sentences, according to United News of Bangladesh.
Trial and compensation order
The tribunal issued arrest warrants in October 2025 and framed charges on November 2 that year. Nineteen prosecution witnesses, including the investigating officer, testified. The defendants were represented by a state-appointed lawyer during the proceedings.
The judgment ordered confiscation of half the immovable property of each convict. Proceeds from any sale are to compensate families of people killed and others injured during the uprising, through the July foundation or another statutory body. The order does not establish that assets have already been seized or sold.
The verdict adds to Bangladesh’s continuing prosecutions over violence during the movement that ended Hasina’s rule. No appeal or execution of any sentence had been confirmed by Thursday.