The prosecution has appealed to the Supreme Court seeking to increase the 10-year prison sentence handed down to Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president Hasanul Haq Inu in a crimes against humanity case and replace it with the death penalty.
The appeal was filed on Monday, 5 October, challenging the sentence previously imposed by the tribunal in the case.
Inu was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison in a case concerning allegations of crimes against humanity linked to July. Following the tribunal’s verdict, the prosecution decided to challenge the sentence, arguing that the punishment did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the offences for which he was convicted.
In its appeal, the prosecution maintained that a 10-year prison term was insufficient in light of the nature and gravity of the allegations and offences established against Inu. It has therefore asked the higher court to intervene and impose the maximum penalty.
The appeal does not itself alter the sentence immediately. The matter will now proceed through the appellate process, where the relevant court will consider the prosecution’s arguments and the records and findings associated with the case. The outcome will determine whether the existing sentence remains in force or is modified.
The case has drawn attention because of Inu’s long-standing role in Bangladesh’s political arena. He has served as president of the JSD and held a ministerial position in a previous government. His prosecution and conviction in the crimes against humanity case have therefore become a significant development in the country’s ongoing legal proceedings concerning allegations arising from the July period.
The prosecution’s latest move centres specifically on the severity of the punishment. While the tribunal imposed a 10-year prison term, prosecutors argue that the gravity of the offences warrants a substantially harsher sentence. Their appeal seeks the death penalty rather than an extension of the existing prison term.
The next stages of the appellate proceedings will determine how the Supreme Court responds to the prosecution’s request. Any change to Inu’s sentence will ultimately depend on the court’s assessment of the case, the applicable law and the grounds presented in the appeal.
