STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Defence counsel for Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president and former minister Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday told the ICT-2 that key prosecution witnesses gave contradictory and unreliable statements that do not match documentary and digital evidence.

Senior advocate Monsurul Haque Chowdhury said three witnesses told the investigation officer on June 17, 18 and 19, 2025, that they had heard an alleged audio conversation between Inu and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on social media.

However, the defence argued the audio was first circulated on August 17, 2025, through a verified Facebook post of a foreign journalist of Bangladeshi origin.

“So, they lied to the tribunal. The three witnesses were tutored by the investigating officer, and their testimonies are not trustworthy,” the defence said.

He said only four of the 10 prosecution witnesses were relevant, while the rest were formal or official witnesses. Another relevant witness made no incriminating statement, he added.

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