NN Online
Chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Muhammad Tajul Islam, has alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered hospital authorities not to provide treatment to victims of the July-August 2024 mass uprising and to prevent their release.
Speaking at a press briefing at his office today, Tajul stated that Hasina issued these instructions during her visit to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly known as Pongu Hospital, on July 27, 2024.
“We visited the hospital and spoke with victims and their families. They informed us that Sheikh Hasina directed doctors not to treat or release injured protesters to ensure they could not return to the streets for further demonstrations,” he said.
Tajul added that the prosecution had obtained evidence supporting these claims, including statements from patients and doctors, which had been submitted to the tribunal.
When asked by reporters about postmortem reports for those who died during the protests, Tajul claimed that the hospital authorities were instructed not to conduct autopsies and were barred from issuing proper death certificates.
“Victims of gunfire were falsely listed as having died from fever or other diseases. Families who attempted to bury their loved ones faced police attacks,” he alleged.
The ICT chief prosecutor emphasised that the tribunal had inquired about the absence of postmortem reports, which he described as critical evidence. He asserted that the then-administration forced families to bury the deceased hastily, preventing any forensic examination.
Tajul stated that the prosecution would thoroughly examine all evidence of Hasina’s alleged orders and present them to the tribunal after forensic verification.
