The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has granted bail to a leader of activities-banned Awami League in the ongoing case concerning human rights violations and killings that occurred in July–August 2024. This marks the first bail order in the July killings case.
The accused is Humayun Kabir Patwary, president of the Laxmipur sadar upazila unit of Awami League and a former chairman of Char Ruhita union parishad. The three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, issued the bail order on Sunday. Humayun’s lawyer requested bail, citing the accused’s severe illness; liver cirrhosis, and noting that two of his brothers had died from the same disease.
The prosecution acknowledged the medical documents submitted and did not oppose the bail, while recommending restrictions to prevent the accused from contacting co-accused or influencing witnesses.
The tribunal approved the bail with conditions, including providing a permanent home address, refraining from making statements to the media or on social platforms, not changing residence without notifying the tribunal and investigation officer and avoiding any actions that could affect the ongoing investigation. Violation of these terms would allow immediate arrest.
He was initially arrested in August 2024 in another case related to Laxmipur killings and was later remanded in this human rights violations case. Other accused in the case include Salah Uddin Javed, chairman of Dighli union parishad and Shahin Alam, organizational secretary of Laxmipur district unit of Chhatra League.
The investigation into the case is ongoing.
PT/ra
