Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Tuesday sentenced seven senior leaders of the now-banned Awami League to death for crimes against humanity, holding them responsible for directing and inciting deadly violence during last year's student-led protests known as the July Uprising.&nbsp;The three-member bench, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and including Justices Md Manzurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, delivered the verdict against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader among others. All seven were tried in absentia and represented by state-appointed lawyers, as none of the accused had appeared before the tribunal.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-gets-a-blow-from-us-supreme-court-over-mail-in-voting-why-is-it-so-important-and-how-it-works-1789455581552">Trump gets a blow from US Supreme Court over mail-in voting: Why is it so important and how it works</a>&nbsp;Also sentenced were Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.The tribunal ordered the confiscation of half the movable and immovable assets of five of the convicts, excluding Saddam and Enan, to be distributed among families of those killed and injured in the uprising.&nbsp;According to prosecutors, the accused conspired in state meetings during the movement to plan killings, with evidence drawn from audio and video recordings submitted to the tribunal. Prosecutors further alleged that Quader had directly ordered security forces to open fire on protesters, triggering indiscriminate shooting that continued until Hasina's government fell on August 5, 2024.&nbsp;Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam had earlier told the tribunal during closing arguments that all charges against the accused were proven and that they bore responsibility for the killing and injury of large numbers of people during the uprising, while defence counsel sought acquittal.&nbsp;The verdict comes roughly ten months after the same tribunal sentenced deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia over the crackdown, a ruling that drew sharp criticism from rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch over fair-trial concerns.&nbsp;The United Nations has estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed, most by security forces' gunfire, during the unrest that ultimately ended Hasina's 15-year rule. Hasina has been living in exile in India since fleeing Dhaka, and last month said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December despite the threat of imprisonment or execution.The verdict can be appealed before Bangladesh's Supreme Court.

The three-member bench, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and including Justices Md Manzurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, delivered the verdict against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader among others. 

Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) on Tuesday sentenced seven senior leaders of the now-banned Awami League to death for crimes against humanity, holding them responsible for directing and inciting deadly violence during last year's student-led protests known as the July Uprising. The three-member bench, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and including Justices Md Manzurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, delivered the verdict against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader among others. All seven were tried in absentia and represented by state-appointed lawyers, as none of the accused had appeared before the tribunal. Also read: Trump gets a blow from US Supreme Court over mail-in voting: Why is it so important and how it works Also sentenced were Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. The tribunal ordered the confiscation of half the movable and immovable assets of five of the convicts, excluding Saddam and Enan, to be distributed among families of those killed and injured in the uprising. According to prosecutors, the accused conspired in state meetings during the movement to plan killings, with evidence drawn from audio and video recordings submitted to the tribunal. Prosecutors further alleged that Quader had directly ordered security forces to open fire on protesters, triggering indiscriminate shooting that continued until Hasina's government fell on August 5, 2024. Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam had earlier told the tribunal during closing arguments that all charges against the accused were proven and that they bore responsibility for the killing and injury of large numbers of people during the uprising, while defence counsel sought acquittal. The verdict comes roughly ten months after the same tribunal sentenced deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia over the crackdown, a ruling that drew sharp criticism from rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch over fair-trial concerns. The United Nations has estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed, most by security forces' gunfire, during the unrest that ultimately ended Hasina's 15-year rule. Hasina has been living in exile in India since fleeing Dhaka, and last month said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December despite the threat of imprisonment or execution. The verdict can be appealed before Bangladesh's Supreme Court.

The three-member bench, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury and including Justices Md Manzurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir, delivered the verdict against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader among others.&nbsp;

Bangladesh war crimes tribunal sentences seven Awami League leaders to death over July Uprising crackdown

Some 25 people, many members of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party, were charged with murder Wednesday over the brutal killing last month of a university student who criticised the government on social media.

The battered body of 21-year-old Abrar Fahad was found in his dormitory hours after he wrote a post on Facebook slamming Dhaka for signing a water-sharing deal with India.

Police said he was beaten to death by fellow students -- many members of the ruling Awami League's university branch. Others had links to the pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

"Murder charges have been pressed to the court against 25 men," police spokesman Monirul Islam told AFP.

"According to the CCTV footage, at least 11 were directly involved in beating Fahad to death."

He said the accused had created an "environment of fear" on campus, with physical abuse and other coercive behaviours.

"They were using their political identity as shelter," he said, referring to their links to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party.&nbsp;

Fahad's death sparked widespread protests among students in the country, prompting Hasina to promise his killers would be severely punished.

Some 25 people, many members of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party, were charged with murder Wednesday over the brutal killing last month of a university student who criticised the government on social media.

Some 25 people, many members of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party, were charged with murder Wednesday over the brutal killing last month of a university student who criticised the government on social media. The battered body of 21-year-old Abrar Fahad was found in his dormitory hours after he wrote a post on Facebook slamming Dhaka for signing a water-sharing deal with India. Police said he was beaten to death by fellow students -- many members of the ruling Awami League's university branch. Others had links to the pro-government Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). "Murder charges have been pressed to the court against 25 men," police spokesman Monirul Islam told AFP. "According to the CCTV footage, at least 11 were directly involved in beating Fahad to death." He said the accused had created an "environment of fear" on campus, with physical abuse and other coercive behaviours. "They were using their political identity as shelter," he said, referring to their links to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party. Fahad's death sparked widespread protests among students in the country, prompting Hasina to promise his killers would be severely punished.

25 charged over brutal killing of Bangladesh student

A Bangladeshi lawmaker has been expelled from university after allegedly hiring as many as eight lookalikes to take exams in her place, officials said Monday.

Tamanna Nusrat, from the ruling Awami League party, is accused of paying the lookalikes to pretend to be her in at least 13 tests.

The scandal emerged after private broadcaster Nagorik TV entered a test hall and confronted one of the women posing as Nusrat, in a video that went viral.

Nusrat, who was elected to parliament last year, was studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree with the Bangladesh Open University (BOU).

"We expelled her because she has committed a crime. A crime is a crime," BOU head M.A. Mannan told AFP. "We have canceled her enrolment. She will never be able to get admitted here again."

"The proxy students were protected by the MP's musclemen when they sat for the tests. Everybody knew it, but nobody uttered a word because she is from a very influential family," a college official said.

Nusrat could not be reached for comment.

Test fraud, cheating, and leaking of question papers ahead of exams are common in Bangladesh, prompting authorities frequently to cancel results.

A Bangladeshi lawmaker has been expelled from university after allegedly hiring as many as eight lookalikes to take exams in her place, officials said Monday. Tamanna Nusrat, from the ruling Awami League party, is accused of paying the lookalikes to pretend to be her in at least 13 tests.

A Bangladeshi lawmaker has been expelled from university after allegedly hiring as many as eight lookalikes to take exams in her place, officials said Monday. Tamanna Nusrat, from the ruling Awami League party, is accused of paying the lookalikes to pretend to be her in at least 13 tests. The scandal emerged after private broadcaster Nagorik TV entered a test hall and confronted one of the women posing as Nusrat, in a video that went viral. Nusrat, who was elected to parliament last year, was studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree with the Bangladesh Open University (BOU). "We expelled her because she has committed a crime. A crime is a crime," BOU head M.A. Mannan told AFP. "We have canceled her enrolment. She will never be able to get admitted here again." "The proxy students were protected by the MP's musclemen when they sat for the tests. Everybody knew it, but nobody uttered a word because she is from a very influential family," a college official said. Nusrat could not be reached for comment. Test fraud, cheating, and leaking of question papers ahead of exams are common in Bangladesh, prompting authorities frequently to cancel results.

Bangladeshi lawmaker expelled from university for hiring lookalikes to take exams in her place

Opposition members of Bangladesh's parliament boycotted a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, after rejecting results of a general election that they said was rigged to give Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina her third straight term.

Hasina's ruling alliance won more than 90 per cent of the seats contested in Sunday's election, which was marred by accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and violence that killed at least 17 people.

Hasina and her ruling Awami League party have dismissed the accusations.

While all 291 newly elected members of parliament, including Hasina, from the ruling bloc were sworn in, the seven opposition members stayed away.

They must take their oath within three months or forfeit their seats.

Leaders of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) could not immediately be reached for comment.

The BNP sent a letter to the government on Wednesday seeking permission to meet their leader, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since February on what they call trumped-up charges.

On Thursday, New York-based Human Rights Watch said the run-up to the vote was characterised by "violence and intimidation against the opposition ... and the misuse of laws to limit free speech".

It called for an independent and impartial investigation of the accusations of electoral abuses.

"Reports of ballot stuffing, intimidation of voters, and ruling party control of voting locations on election day mean that an independent and impartial commission should be formed to determine the extent of the violations," Brad Adams, Asia director at the rights group, said in a statement.

The western government, including the United State and the European Union, have condemned the election-day violence and called for an investigation of a range of irregularities.

Hasina said after the results came out that the vote was largely peaceful and voters had taken part enthusiastically.

The BNP has said its workers were being attacked across the country by Awami League activists. The ruling party has denied the charges.

Hasina, whose father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated in a coup in 1975, has alternated in and out of power for nearly three decades with her main rival, BNP leader Khaleda.

Khaleda was First Lady when her husband, Ziaur Rahman, was president from 1977 until he was assassinated in 1981.

Hasina's ruling alliance won more than 90 per cent of the seats contested in Sunday's election, which was marred by accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and violence that killed at least 17 people.

Opposition members of Bangladesh's parliament boycotted a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, after rejecting results of a general election that they said was rigged to give Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina her third straight term. Hasina's ruling alliance won more than 90 per cent of the seats contested in Sunday's election, which was marred by accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and violence that killed at least 17 people. Hasina and her ruling Awami League party have dismissed the accusations. While all 291 newly elected members of parliament, including Hasina, from the ruling bloc were sworn in, the seven opposition members stayed away. They must take their oath within three months or forfeit their seats. Leaders of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) could not immediately be reached for comment. The BNP sent a letter to the government on Wednesday seeking permission to meet their leader, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since February on what they call trumped-up charges. On Thursday, New York-based Human Rights Watch said the run-up to the vote was characterised by "violence and intimidation against the opposition ... and the misuse of laws to limit free speech". It called for an independent and impartial investigation of the accusations of electoral abuses. "Reports of ballot stuffing, intimidation of voters, and ruling party control of voting locations on election day mean that an independent and impartial commission should be formed to determine the extent of the violations," Brad Adams, Asia director at the rights group, said in a statement. The western government, including the United State and the European Union, have condemned the election-day violence and called for an investigation of a range of irregularities. Hasina said after the results came out that the vote was largely peaceful and voters had taken part enthusiastically. The BNP has said its workers were being attacked across the country by Awami League activists. The ruling party has denied the charges. Hasina, whose father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated in a coup in 1975, has alternated in and out of power for nearly three decades with her main rival, BNP leader Khaleda. Khaleda was First Lady when her husband, Ziaur Rahman, was president from 1977 until he was assassinated in 1981.

Bangladesh opposition boycotts swearing-in amid calls to probe vote rigging

New clashes marred the deadly Bangladesh election campaign on Wednesday as<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/10500-arrests-ahead-of-bangladesh-poll-opposition-186427"> opposition leaders</a> stepped up complaints over the organisation of what they consider a one-sided vote.

Youths on motorbikes carrying a banner of the ruling Awami League attacked an opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate with knives, hours after a BNP leader was wounded in clashes between rival party activists, police said.

Habibur Rahman Habib, a BNP candidate for parliament, was attacked by 15 men on motorbikes in the northern town of Ishwardi on Wednesday, according to police.

"He was hacked three times on his thigh. He was grievously injured but is out of danger," local police chief Bahauddin Faruqi told AFP.

Late Tuesday, senior BNP leader Goyeshwar Roy was injured as BNP and Awami League activists clashed in Dhaka district, police superintendent S.M. Shafiur Rahman told AFP. Media images showed blood pouring down Roy's face.

The campaign for Sunday's vote has seen <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-at-least-10-journalists-attacked-ahead-of-poll-186456">daily confrontations between supporters of the two main parties</a>, which has further soured their bitter constitutional showdown.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking a record fourth term, but her party has been accused of organising the arrest and intimidation of opposition candidates to boost her chances. The government denies any wrongdoing.

The BNP, whose leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, and its main Islamist ally claim more than 11,500 of their supporters have been detained since the election was called on November 8. Hundreds of their supporters have been injured in fighting, they say.

Thousands arrested

Six people -- four BNP supporters and two from the Awami League -- have been killed in the campaign violence.

The BNP-led opposition coalition demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner Nurul Huda, accusing him of supporting ruling party followers in the unrest.

"It is not possible to get a non-partisan and neutral election from him and there is no possibility of fair treatment from him," opposition spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

Opposition parties walked out of a meeting with Huda late Tuesday, and have demanded a neutral election commissioner take over for Sunday's vote.

They say the mass arrest of their followers -- 8,243 from the BNP and 3,600 from the Jamaat-e-Islami -- was intended to create a "climate of fear".

Police have not confirmed the number of arrests during the campaign but insist all those detained had warrants against them.

"We never target any individual unless they break the law," said police spokesman Sohel Rana.

There was no comment from Chief Election Commissioner on the violence, but another election commissioner urged police "act neutrally and without discrimination to all."

"Don't take any undesirable action by being too enthusiastic," commissioner Mahbub Talukder said in a statement.

"Refrain from acting in a partisan manner in the polls. Uphold the dignity and righteousness of your uniform... I am worried over the growing number of incidents of clashes and violence ahead of the national election."

Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election.

The ruling party has emphasised the economic growth in Hasina's last 10 years in power to justify her reelection.

The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority country of 165 million.

But Ahmed said its candidates were attacked in 28 constituencies on Tuesday, leaving more than 100 people injured.

Hasina won a 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power.

Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law.

New clashes marred the deadly Bangladesh election campaign on Wednesday as opposition leaders stepped up complaints over the organisation of what they consider a one-sided vote.

New clashes marred the deadly Bangladesh election campaign on Wednesday as opposition leaders stepped up complaints over the organisation of what they consider a one-sided vote. Youths on motorbikes carrying a banner of the ruling Awami League attacked an opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate with knives, hours after a BNP leader was wounded in clashes between rival party activists, police said. Habibur Rahman Habib, a BNP candidate for parliament, was attacked by 15 men on motorbikes in the northern town of Ishwardi on Wednesday, according to police. "He was hacked three times on his thigh. He was grievously injured but is out of danger," local police chief Bahauddin Faruqi told AFP. Late Tuesday, senior BNP leader Goyeshwar Roy was injured as BNP and Awami League activists clashed in Dhaka district, police superintendent S.M. Shafiur Rahman told AFP. Media images showed blood pouring down Roy's face. The campaign for Sunday's vote has seen daily confrontations between supporters of the two main parties, which has further soured their bitter constitutional showdown. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking a record fourth term, but her party has been accused of organising the arrest and intimidation of opposition candidates to boost her chances. The government denies any wrongdoing. The BNP, whose leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, and its main Islamist ally claim more than 11,500 of their supporters have been detained since the election was called on November 8. Hundreds of their supporters have been injured in fighting, they say. Thousands arrested Six people -- four BNP supporters and two from the Awami League -- have been killed in the campaign violence. The BNP-led opposition coalition demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner Nurul Huda, accusing him of supporting ruling party followers in the unrest. "It is not possible to get a non-partisan and neutral election from him and there is no possibility of fair treatment from him," opposition spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said. Opposition parties walked out of a meeting with Huda late Tuesday, and have demanded a neutral election commissioner take over for Sunday's vote. They say the mass arrest of their followers -- 8,243 from the BNP and 3,600 from the Jamaat-e-Islami -- was intended to create a "climate of fear". Police have not confirmed the number of arrests during the campaign but insist all those detained had warrants against them. "We never target any individual unless they break the law," said police spokesman Sohel Rana. There was no comment from Chief Election Commissioner on the violence, but another election commissioner urged police "act neutrally and without discrimination to all." "Don't take any undesirable action by being too enthusiastic," commissioner Mahbub Talukder said in a statement. "Refrain from acting in a partisan manner in the polls. Uphold the dignity and righteousness of your uniform... I am worried over the growing number of incidents of clashes and violence ahead of the national election." Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election. The ruling party has emphasised the economic growth in Hasina's last 10 years in power to justify her reelection. The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority country of 165 million. But Ahmed said its candidates were attacked in 28 constituencies on Tuesday, leaving more than 100 people injured. Hasina won a 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power. Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law.

Bangladesh election violence: Youths carrying Awami League banner attack BNP candidate