Hasina will soon be tried in crimes against humanity case, Nahid hopes
Staff Reporter :
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam yesterday expressed optimism that justice will soon be delivered in the case of crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising.
Speaking to reporters on the premises of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Nahid, who is a witness in a case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others, said the people’s foremost demand after the July Uprising was trial of atrocities carried out by the Awami League and the then government against students and the public.
“We hope that we will get justice in the shortest possible time,” Nahid told journalists, adding that beyond this case, there were numerous others concerning torture, oppression, enforced disappearances and murders across the country.
He stressed that the trial process would be prolonged and urged that a roadmap be drawn up to ensure the continuation of trials even after the upcoming national election. “We expect that this issue will be included in the manifesto of all political parties,” he added.
ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, however, said Nahid’s testimony was not recorded yesterday as the cross-examination of Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman had not been completed. He noted that Nahid’s statement was expected to be recorded today. Mahmudur Rahman, who appeared as the 46th witness in the case, had earlier testified before the tribunal.
The case is being heard by a three-member ICT bench headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder. The tribunal formally framed charges against Sheikh Hasina and the other accused on July 10 and ordered the commencement of trial.
At a later stage of the proceedings, former Inspector General of Police Mamun applied to become a state witness by confessing guilt. His application was accepted, and he subsequently testified as the 36th witness in the case.
Sheikh Hasina is also facing two additional cases at the tribunal. One accuses her of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her more than 15-year tenure as prime minister. The other case relates to allegations of mass killings during a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Square in Motijheel.