Defence lawyers for Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president Hasanul Haq Inu on Wednesday told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the prosecution had failed to prove the crimes against humanity case against their client.
They, placing their case summing up arguments, also said that the prosecution had utterly failed to prove any direct involvement or incitement by their client in the crimes, linked to the July-August 2024 mass uprising, for which Inu faced the trial.
Inu was on the dock.
The tribunal heard that the prosecution could not produce any evidence showing that Inu had instructed, incited, or conspired to use force against protesters.
The defence lawyers said that two records of telephone conversations between Inu and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, submitted by the prosecution, contained no reference to any order for shooting, bombing or repression.
It also argued that three interviews and five news reports placed before the tribunal did not show any act of provocation, conspiracy, or complicity by Inu.
‘The charges brought under Sections 3(2) and 4 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 remain unproven,’ the defence submitted.
Following arguments from the defence, the three-judge tribunal chaired by retired High Court judge Nozrul Islam Chowhdury adjourned the hearing until Thursday when prosecutor Mizanul Islam is expected to place his arguments.
Senior advocate Munsurul Haq Chowdhury led the defence for Inu. He was assisted by advocates Md Sultan Mahmud Siman, Md Abul Hasan and Barrister Sifat Mahmud.
Inu, a former lawmaker for a constituency in Kushtia, is accused of superior command responsibilities for killings and attacks in Kushtia during the July 2024 mass uprising.
The defence also referred to a statement made on August 12, 2024, by the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina during a hospital visit, where she mentioned attacks on Ansar personnel by civilians allegedly using 7.62mm rifles.
The defence questioned why no investigation had been conducted to identify the individuals holding firearms.
