‘AL beneficiaries out to disrupt trials at ICT’

Staff Reporter :

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Muhammad Tajul Islam, has alleged that individuals who benefitted during the Awami League regime are actively working to obstruct the trials related to crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 uprising.

Speaking to ICT beat reporters at his office, Tajul Islam said, “A coordinated disinformation campaign is being waged on social media to undermine the tribunal. Fugitive beneficiaries of the deposed fascist regime are investing heavily to derail investigations and the judicial process.”

According to the prosecution, loyalists of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are engaged in spreading misinformation about the tribunal’s investigation and its prosecutors. The aim, they say, is to mislead the public particularly the families of those martyred in the uprising.

A documentary presented by the prosecution also revealed that the fugitive group has enlisted the services of British law firm Doughty Street Chambers to bring allegations of crimes against humanity against the interim government before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Tajul Islam emphasised the scale of the uprising, stating, “Over 1,500 to 2,000 people were martyred, and around 25,000 civilians, including students, injured. We have substantial evidence and are confident that we can establish the facts before the tribunal and ensure justice by international standards.”

So far, 339 complaints have been submitted to the ICT concerning crimes committed during the mass uprising. Of these, 39 are currently under investigation, and 22 have been taken into cognizance by the tribunal.

These 22 cases name 141 individuals as accused including 70 civilians, 62 police personnel, and 9 defense officials. Arrest warrants have been issued for 87 of the accused, while 54 have already been apprehended.

The prosecution team has so far recorded testimonies from over 1,000 witnesses. They have conducted field visits across 15 districts and to six secret detention facilities known as Aynaghar located in Dhaka, Chapainawabganj, and Bogura.

Four public hearings have also been held, with participation from more than 800 students, teachers, and members of the public.

Investigations into at least four cases are nearing completion and the final reports are expected to be submitted soon, officials said.

Tajul Islam also hinted at forthcoming changes in ICT regulations, stating that amendments may be finalised within the next one to two weeks.

The ICT’s current team includes 17 prosecutors and 24 investigators, the latter seconded or contracted from the Bangladesh Police.