Law enforcers failed to arrest Quader, 6 other AL leaders

The prosecution yesterday informed the International Crimes Tribunal-2 that law enforcers had failed to arrest Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other leaders of the party and its affiliated bodies in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July uprising.

Placing a non-execution report before the tribunal, the prosecution said members of law enforcement agencies did not find the seven accused at their present or permanent addresses.

Earlier, the tribunal had issued arrest warrants against the accused. They are Obaidul Quader; AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Awami League joint general secretary; Mohammad Ali Arafat, former state minister for information; Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, chairman of Jubo League; Moinul Hossain Nikhil, its general secretary; and Saddam Hussain and Sheikh Wali Asif Enan, president and general secretary of Chhatra League, respectively.

According to the formal charge, Quader was accused on three counts of issuing directives, instigation and provocation that allegedly led to attacks on and killings of unarmed protesters.

Senior leaders, particularly Bahauddin Nasim and Mohammad Ali Arafat, were also directly involved in facilitating the violence through planning and organisational support, while the others were charged due to their leadership positions and command roles within their respective organisations, the prosecution said.

Meanwhile, the investigation officer (IO) resumed his deposition for the third day in the crimes against humanity case filed over the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed during last year's July uprising.

The tribunal fixed January 6 for resuming the IO's testimony in the case.