The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced seven high-profile political figures, including Obaidul Quader, General Secretary of the banned Awami League, and Saddam Hossain, Central President of Chhatra League, to death for crimes against humanity and authorizing indiscriminate gunfire targeting students and civilians during the July–August 2024 mass uprising.
On Tuesday (September 15, 2026), a three-member judicial panel of ICT-2, led by Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, officially delivered the verdict in the case. All seven convicted individuals are currently absconding.
The five other individuals awarded the death penalty are:
A. F. M. Bahauddin Nasim – Joint General Secretary, Awami League
Mohammad Ali Arafat – Former Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting
Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash – Chairman, banned Jubo League
Mainul Hossain Khan – General Secretary, banned Jubo League
Sheikh Wali Asif Inan – General Secretary, banned Chhatra League
Following the verdict, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam briefed reporters, stating that the crimes against humanity were perpetrated nationwide as a direct result of inflammatory speeches, explicit commands, and Superior Command Responsibility. Quoting a telephone conversation between Obaidul Quader and Saddam Hossain, the Chief Prosecutor noted that Quader instructed Saddam: “Why aren’t you beating them? Beat them.” Quader later publicly asserted that Chhatra League alone was sufficient to suppress the protests.
The Chief Prosecutor highlighted that following this directive issued to Saddam on July 11, 2024, key protesters including Abu Sayeed and Wasim were killed on July 16. Subsequently, between July 19 and August 5, joint firings by law enforcement agencies and ruling party cadres resulted in approximately 1,400 fatalities and left nearly 25,000 injured or permanently disabled. Furthermore, following a 14-party alliance meeting on July 19, a “shoot-at-sight” order publicly announced by Obaidul Quader sanctioned the use of lethal weaponry against civilians.
