In connection with the crimes against humanity committed across the country during the July mass uprising, the International Crimes Tribunal is proceeding with separate trials against high-profile individuals linked to the banned Awami League and the then government. Initially, a single case was filed naming 45 accused—including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader—but the Tribunal’s investigation agency and prosecution have now decided to reduce the number of accused per case and increase the number of cases based on the nature of the alleged crimes.

The cases against Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu and Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif have already been separated. Several other high-profile investigations are expected to be submitted soon.

Individuals Under Investigation

The list of accused includes:

• Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

• Former ministers Anisul Huq and Amir Hossain Amu

• Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon

• Former advisers Salman F. Rahman and Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury

• Former SB chief Monirul Islam

• Former DB chief Harun-or-Rashid

In addition, several other senior government officials and political figures remain under investigation.

According to the prosecution, including too many accused in one case could slow down the trial process. Therefore, based on the nature of each alleged crime, the accused are being assigned to separate, more focused cases.

Progress of the Case Involving 45 Accused

The Tribunal has extended the investigation deadline for the case filed against 45 individuals, including Obaidul Quader, for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July–August 2024 student movement against discrimination. Tribunal-1 has set 8 December as the date for the next hearing.

Of the 45 accused, 17 are currently in custody. On 15 October, 16 accused were produced before the Tribunal. They include:
Anisul Huq, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzaq, Kamrul Islam, Dr Dipu Moni, Golam Dastagir Gazi, Shajahan Khan, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haq Inu, Salman F. Rahman, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former MP Solaiman Mohammad Selim, former secretary Md. Jahangir Alam, and retired Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik.

Investigation Against Sajib Wazed Joy

Sajib Wazed Joy has also been named as an accused in the July–August crimes against humanity case, and an arrest warrant has been issued against him. According to prosecution sources, investigators have obtained a call recording in which Joy and then State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak allegedly discussed suppressing the uprising. Joy served as an adviser to the ICT Ministry at the time.

Investigators are examining the allegations under the principle of “superior command responsibility.”

Cases Divided Into Groups for Investigation

Instead of investigating the 45 accused under one unified case, the Tribunal has now divided them into several groups. Examples include:

• A group of seven, including Obaidul Quader and AFM Bahauddin Nasim

• A group including Salman F. Rahman and Anisul Huq

• A group including Sajib Wazed Joy and Zunaid Ahmed Palak

• Former SB chief Monirul Islam and former DB chief Harun-or-Rashid forming another group

The cases against Hasanul Haq Inu and Mahbubul Alam Hanif have already had separate charges formally framed.

Prosecutors stated that individuals whose alleged crimes differ in nature are being assigned to separate cases. They noted that the law permits both joint and separate trials, making this division legally sound.