The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday granted bail to an accused for the first time in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising last year.
The accused, Humayun Kabir Patwary, served as president of the Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Awami League and chairman of Charruhita Union Parishad in the same upazila.
The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, granted the bail on health grounds, citing the accused’s serious illness, said Prosecutor Mizanul Islam.
The other members of the tribunal are Judges Md Manjurul Bashid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.
In his bail petition, Patwary’s lawyer said his client is suffering from liver cirrhosis and noted that two of his brothers had died of the same disease.
During the hearing, the tribunal sought the prosecution’s view. Prosecutor Md Mizanul Islam said a medical report confirming serious illness had been submitted, making it difficult to oppose the bail request.
He, however, urged that strict conditions be imposed to prevent the accused from contacting other suspects in crimes against humanity cases.
The tribunal granted bail subject to several conditions, including that the accused must provide his residential address, refrain from making any statements to the media or on social media, not change his residence without informing the investigation officer and the tribunal registrar, and must not influence evidence or witnesses.
The tribunal warned that any violation of the conditions would result in immediate arrest and cancellation of bail.
The interim government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal to try crimes against humanity committed during the suppression of the anti-discrimination student movement in July last year. The reconstituted tribunal began functioning in October 2024.
Humayun Kabir was arrested in Dhaka in August 2024 following the ouster of the Awami League government.
A total of four people were arrested in connection with the crimes against humanity case in Lakshmipur, and Patwary has now been granted bail.