Quader, Arafat, Saddam among 7 sentenced to death

The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced seven people, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader to death for “crimes against humanity” committed during the July Uprising.

Tribunal-2 headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury delivered the verdict on Monday.

The two other members of the tribunal are Judge Md Manjurul Basid and Judge Noor Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

Besides Quader, the other convicts are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.

Read More: Gas supply to industries will return to normal on Wednesday: PM

In addition to their death sentences, the tribunal has also ordered that half the assets of all but Saddam and Enan be seized and used to help the families of those killed or injured during the July Uprising.

The tribunal's Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam told bdnews24.com, "Our rules and statutes provide for seizure of assets of up to 75 percent. This is the first time our tribunal has confiscated 50 percent of movable and immovable properties.

"The tribunal has ordered the seizure of 50 percent of their property and the distribution of it among the martyrs and injured through the [July Shaheed Smrity Foundation] or any statutory institution."

In response to the verdict, he said: "We are satisfied with this verdict and think it was expected.

"About 1,400 people have been killed, 25,000 people have been maimed. [On Tuesday], we think justice has been done for those martyred or injured."