STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The prosecution on Tuesday filed formal charges at International Crimes Tribunal-1 against former ministers Rashed Khan Menon and Qamrul Islam over alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during the July 2024 uprising.

The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, accepted the charges after the prosecutor urged the court to take cognisance and scheduled the next hearing for February 9.

Both Menon, Workers Party of Bangladesh president and former civil aviation minister, and Qamrul, Awami League leader and former food minister, are currently in custody.

Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim, reading the charges before the three-member tribunal, stated that the accused attended a 14-party alliance meeting chaired by then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina on July 19, 2024.

The meeting decided to impose a nationwide curfew and authorise the use of lethal force against student-led protesters, Tamim told the tribunal. Following the meeting, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader told the media the decision had been taken to “shoot on sight”, he added.

The first charge relates to killings across the country during the uprising following the Gono Bhaban meeting. The second alleges that the decision to use lethal force caused the deaths of 23 people on July 20 in Badda and surrounding areas.

The prosecution also accused Menon and Qamrul of abetment, incitement, and conspiracy to commit crimes against humanity.