The International Crimes Tribunal-2 is scheduled to hold a hearing today on the formation of charges against Obaidul Quader, the suspended general secretary of the Awami League and former minister, along with six other accused in a crimes against humanity case linked to killings during the July Revolution. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, will conduct the hearing in Dhaka.

Earlier, on December 18, the tribunal issued arrest warrants against the seven accused after the prosecution formally submitted charges. The accused include Awami League joint general secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain, and general secretary Wali Asif Enan. On January 8, as the accused failed to appear, the tribunal appointed state defense lawyers to represent them.

The prosecution presented separate charges for each accused, including three specific counts against Obaidul Quader involving instruction, incitement, and provocation. The tribunal accepted the charges and set today’s date for the formal hearing on charge formation.