The three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2 announced the verdict on September 15. The bench was headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with Justice Mohammad Manzoor-ul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members.
Those sentenced to death include Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, 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, Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
The seven accused were tried in their absence as they had been declared fugitives. They were accused of crimes against humanity, including murder, incitement to violence and conspiracy during the July 2024 protests.
According to the prosecution, statements from 29 witnesses were recorded during the trial. Audio recordings allegedly involving the accused, forensic reports and other evidence were also presented before the tribunal. Prosecutors argued that the charges had been established through the evidence and sought the maximum punishment.
The defence rejected the allegations, arguing that the accused had not ordered any killings and were not directly involved in the deaths. Defence lawyers also sought acquittal for some of the accused.
The tribunal had issued arrest warrants for the seven accused in December 2025. Formal charges were framed in January 2026, after which the trial began. Following the presentation of witness testimony and other evidence, arguments from both sides were completed in August and the case was reserved for judgment.
The case relates to alleged crimes committed during the mass uprising that began in July 2024. Bangladesh’s current authorities have filed several cases against senior Awami League figures over their alleged role in the unrest.
The verdict is among the major rulings issued by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal in cases linked to the July 2024 protests.
