Nahid Islam Testifies at International Crimes Tribunal in Case Related to Student Uprising

PNN Staff Reporter | PNN:

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), appeared at the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday, 17 September, to testify in a case concerning human rights violations during the mass student uprising. The case includes allegations against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and one other individual.

Nahid Islam stated that his testimony will be completed within two days. His testimony was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed because the cross-examination of Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh, had not yet concluded in the same case.

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said that after Mahmudur Rahman’s testimony and cross-examination, Nahid Islam’s testimony will mark the conclusion of the witness phase of the trial.

The case involves allegations of massacres that took place during July–August. Witness statements have depicted gruesome accounts of killings across the country during the uprising, with victims’ families and eyewitnesses demanding exemplary punishment for the accused.

The prosecution has brought five counts of crimes against humanity against Sheikh Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun. The formal charges consist of 8,747 pages, including 2,018 pages of sources, 4,005 pages of documentary evidence, and 2,724 pages listing the martyrs. There are 81 witnesses in total.

On 10 July, the tribunal officially framed the charges and commenced the trial, with the investigation agency submitting its report to the Chief Prosecutor on 12 May.