The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the start of the trial against former Member of Parliament Abul Hasanat Abdullah and three others for alleged crimes against humanity. The charges relate to the killing of two men in a staged crossfire incident on February 20, 2015, in Agailjhara, Barishal. The tribunal issued the order on Wednesday and set June 17 for opening statements and the recording of the first witness testimony.

According to the case documents, the victims, Tipu Hawlader and Kabir Molla, were local leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and the Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha, respectively. The prosecution alleges that Abdullah, unable to defeat his political rivals, abused state power to orchestrate their killings. It is claimed that he instructed the then Barishal Superintendent of Police, A.K.M. Ehsanullah, to execute the plan, which was carried out by ASI Mahbul Islam and ASI Jasim Uddin.

Both ASIs are currently in custody and were produced before the tribunal. The charges include joint criminal enterprise and superior command responsibility against Abdullah and Ehsanullah.