July Uprising: ICT accepts charges against Zafar Iqbal, Maksud Kamal

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 yesterday accepted formal charges against eight people, including noted academic Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, former Dhaka University vice-chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal and former Appellate Division judge AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, over alleged crimes against humanity during the 2024 July uprising.

The tribunal also issued arrest warrants against five of the accused: Zafar Iqbal, Maksud Kamal, Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain, its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan and DU unit BCL President Mazharul Kabir Shayan.

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The three others, Manik, DU sociology teacher Prof AKM Jamal Uddin and BCL DU unit General Secretary Tanbir Hasan Shaikat, are in custody. The tribunal ordered that they be produced before it on October 22.

According to the prosecution, the accused were involved in conspiracy, incitement, abetment and other inhumane acts linked to attacks on protesters in and around Dhaka University, Shahbagh, Nilkhet, New Market, Science Lab, Chankharpul, Azimpur and Lalbagh.

The attacks allegedly killed Mohammad Shahjahan, Khalid Hasan Saifullah, Saiful Islam Babu, Abdul Wadud and Shaon Shikder and injured around 300 others.

The prosecution accused Zafar Iqbal of publishing a note criticising protesting students, referring to them as “razakars” and saying they had no right to remain in the country. It alleged that the note undermined the movement and encouraged violence against protesters.

The charges stated that Maksud Kamal, then DU vice-chancellor, received instructions from then prime minister Sheikh Hasina to suppress the quota-reform movement and directed BCL leaders to mobilise and take control of the campus. He also allegedly failed to protect injured students and prevent further attacks at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Manik was accused of publicly justifying lethal force against protesters and labelling them “razakars” and armed militants, allegedly encouraging suppression of the movement.

The prosecution alleged that Prof Jamal Uddin, also convenor of Muktijuddho Mancha, and other pro-Awami League teachers supported and facilitated attacks on students.

BCL leaders Saddam, Enan, Shayan and Shaikat were accused of organising and leading armed activists in attacks on protesters at Dhaka University and surrounding areas.

In a separate case, the tribunal took cognisance of formal charges against five former police officials, including former Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime chief Md Asaduzzaman, over the alleged enforced disappearance of seven people and killing of one in 2023.

The other accused are former CTTC Additional Deputy Commissioner Ishtiaq Ahmed, former police inspectors Asaduzzaman Hira and Mezbah Uddin Ahmed, and former sub-inspector Touhidul Islam Sumon.

Ishtiaq is in custody, while the other four are absconding. The tribunal issued arrest warrants against them.