Bribery claim rocks ICT tribunal
The chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has warned that allegations of bribery against one of its prosecutors risk undermining the credibility of the judicial process, after reports surfaced that a prosecutor sought a large payment from the family of a detained former politician in exchange for securing bail.
Speaking at a press conference at his office on Tuesday, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam described the allegation as extremely serious, saying that any hint of corruption among prosecutors could make the tribunal’s proceedings “one hundred percent questionable.”
“We have seen such a report in the media. It is a serious allegation. Such an allegation should not have arisen against any of our prosecutors,” he said.
“Since it has arisen, steps should have been taken immediately. We do not know why it was left unaddressed.”
Islam said that although the tribunal had not yet received a formal complaint, authorities would conduct an internal investigation into the matter. He also warned that corruption would not be tolerated during his tenure.
“To work at the International Crimes Tribunal, one has to be selfless. Everyone must stay above greed and temptation.
If someone cannot do that, there is no need to remain here. Anyone is free to leave,” he added.
The controversy centers on allegations against former tribunal prosecutor Saimum Reza Talukdar, who recently resigned from his position. According to media reports and recorded WhatsApp conversations, Talukdar allegedly asked the family of detained former Awami League lawmaker Fazle Karim Chowdhury for 10 million taka (1 crore) in exchange for arranging his release on bail.
Chowdhury, who is currently in custody, faces allegations of crimes against humanity related to killings during the student-led anti-discrimination protests in Chattogram in July 2024.
Audio recordings of WhatsApp calls reportedly capture Talukdar reminding a member of Chowdhury’s family about an earlier discussion, saying that if he ultimately managed to secure the former lawmaker’s release, there would be “a very good amount involved.”
In one conversation he is heard referring specifically to a demand of 1 crore taka and asking for an advance payment of 1 million taka in cash.
After the allegations surfaced, the then chief prosecutor of the tribunal, Tajul Islam, removed Talukdar from the case involving Chowdhury.
Following the 13th parliamentary elections, the tribunal leadership changed. According to a member of Chowdhury’s family, Talukdar later contacted them again, claiming he would return to the case.
The family subsequently submitted several audio recordings of the conversations to the newly appointed law minister, Asaduzzaman.
After that, Talukdar allegedly told the family that the minister had threatened him with arrest.
When contacted, Talukdar denied the bribery allegations. “This is not true,” he said, claiming he was unaware of the accusations.
He also argued that no single prosecutor has the authority to secure bail for a detainee.
“Even if I wanted to arrange bail, it would not be possible for a single prosecutor. Everything is done through the chief prosecutor. It is a team effort,” he said.
Talukdar insisted that his resignation had no connection with the corruption allegations, saying he had been considering leaving the position for several days in order to return to his previous profession as a teacher.
The International Crimes Tribunal was originally established to prosecute crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
In recent years, the tribunal has also been hearing cases related to alleged crimes committed during the political upheaval and mass uprising of 2024.
The bribery allegation has triggered wider debate over the credibility of the tribunal’s proceedings. Iftekharuzzaman, head of Transparency International Bangladesh, warned that the controversy could damage public trust in the judicial process.
“This incident shows how deeply corruption has penetrated the legal profession,” he told the media.
“It is even more worrying because it could create a crisis of confidence in the judicial process under the International Crimes Tribunal.”
Iftekharuzzaman also expressed concern that such practices could undermine the prospects of holding genuine perpetrators accountable.
He further questioned what he described as the visible leniency shown by the current law minister as well as the former and current chief prosecutors in handling the matter, particularly at a time when the new government has pledged strong anti-corruption measures and a commitment to justice.
“Their apparent inaction raises serious questions about impunity for wrongdoing at higher levels,” he said.
