The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has published the full verdict sentencing Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President and former Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu to 10 years in prison for his alleged role in crimes against humanity during the July uprising, including the killing of six people in Kushtia and conspiracy, incitement and complicity in such crimes across the country.

The 500-page verdict was released on Sunday (September 20). Tribunal Prosecutor Mizanul Islam said the prosecution would appeal the judgment and had already begun preparations for the appeal.

On June 30, the tribunal sentenced Inu to 10 years in prison in the case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 uprising. Three of the eight charges brought against him were proven, and he was sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment on each count. However, as the sentences will run concurrently, he will serve a total of 10 years in prison.

According to the full verdict, charges No. 3, 6 and 7 against Inu were proven. The tribunal found him responsible for incidents involving serious injuries to protesters, torture and politically motivated persecution, sentencing him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment under the relevant provisions of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.

His involvement in conspiracy, incitement and aiding crimes against humanity was also established. He was sentenced to another 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Tk 100,000 in connection with that charge. In another charge, he was found guilty of involvement in a conspiracy and agreement to commit crimes against humanity and was handed a further 10-year prison term and fined Tk 100,000. All the sentences will run concurrently.

However, the tribunal acquitted Inu of charges No. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8, as they were not proven.

According to the prosecution’s charge sheet, Inu described participants in the July uprising as members of Jamaat, terrorists and communal forces in an interview with an Indian media outlet on July 18, 2024. He was also accused of inciting, encouraging and assisting the use of force against protesters and of ordering their killings.

The second charge alleged that a meeting of the 14-party alliance was held at Ganabhaban on July 19, 2024, under the leadership of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The charge sheet claimed that a “shoot-at-sight” decision was taken at the meeting to suppress the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Inu was accused of attending the meeting and helping direct, encourage and implement the decision. However, the tribunal acquitted him of this charge due to a lack of evidence.

The third charge alleged that an initiative was taken to prepare a list of protesters by examining their photographs. Inu was accused of calling the police superintendent of Kushtia and ordering the arrest and torture of the protesters. The tribunal found this charge proven.

The fourth charge accused Inu of being involved in plans to deploy lethal weapons, paratroopers and helicopter bombings to suppress the movement. The fifth charge alleged that, through statements made to various media outlets, he incited action against protesters and indirectly supported state-led killings, torture and persecution. The tribunal acquitted him of both charges, as they were not proven.

The sixth charge concerned Inu’s alleged role in a decision taken at a 14-party alliance meeting to ban Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The verdict said his responsibility in this charge had been established.

The seventh charge accused him of being involved in a conspiracy through a telephone conversation with then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The tribunal also found this charge proven.

The eighth charge alleged that Inu had issued instructions for the killing of protesters Yusuf Sheikh, Usama, Suruj Ali, Ashraful Islam, Bablu Farazi and Abdullah Al Mustakin in Kushtia town on August 5, 2024. He was also accused of ordering the killing of around 1,400 people and injuring more than 25,000 students and members of the public across the country. However, the tribunal acquitted him of this charge because it was not proven.

Meanwhile, Hasanul Haq Inu is also facing trial in the case concerning the Shapla Chattar massacre. He has been accused of attending a core committee meeting related to the killings at Shapla Chattar in 2013, when he was serving as information minister.