Dhaka: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 today took cognizance of the charges brought against eight people, including former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, over their alleged roles in conspiring to commit and abetting crimes against humanity at the Dhaka University campus during the July Mass Uprising. The other accused include Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Prof AKM Jamal Uddin, Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, banned Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan, president and general secretary of the organization's Dhaka University (DU) unit, Mazharul Kabir Shayon and Tanbir Hasan Soikat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the three-member tribunal headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mazumder passed the order, issuing an arrest warrant against the accused. The court also ordered the accused to be produced on October 21. The ICT prosecution on September 16 filed the formal charge against eight persons.
"During the July Mass Uprising, the then central leaders of Chhatra League and several people, including then VC of Dhaka University, made provocative statements and conspired to facilitate attacks on the protesters. They conspired and abetted such acts. On these allegations, we filed a formal charge today," prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim earlier told newsmen.