The trial of former Member of Parliament Shamim Osman and 11 others begins today at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka. The case involves charges of crimes against humanity linked to killings during the July Revolution in Narayanganj. The proceedings start with opening statements before a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, with Justices Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members. The first witness testimony is also scheduled for the same day.

Earlier, on May 13, the tribunal rejected the defendants’ petitions seeking discharge from the charges and ordered the trial to proceed. The accused include Shamim Osman’s son Imtinan Osman Ayon, nephew Azmeri Osman, Ayon’s brother-in-law Minhaj Uddin Ahmed Vicky, former Narayanganj Rifles Club president Tanvir Ahmed Titu, and several former local leaders and activists from Narayanganj.

The tribunal’s decision marks the formal start of a high-profile case concerning alleged crimes committed during a politically turbulent period in Narayanganj.