Shapla Chattar Killings: Complaint filed against Ekattor TV chairman

Staff Reporter:

A formal complaint has been submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against Mostafa Kamal, chairman of Ekattor Television and Meghna Group, and Tanveer Mostafa, managing director of the channel, for allegedly inciting mass killings during the Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar on May 5-6, 2013.

The complaint was filed on Tuesday by Hefazat leader Mushfiqur Rahman with the ICT’s investigation agency, according to a media report.

The two media executives stand accused of instigating, planning, financing, and supporting what is described as a violent crackdown on Hefazat demonstrators.

The complaint further alleges their collusion with the then government under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in efforts to suppress the Hefazat movement.

According to the complaint, the operation involved indiscriminate gunfire using both domestic and automatic weapons, resulting in the killing, torture, detention, and disappearance of unarmed Hefazat leaders and activists.

The incident is characterized in the filing as a mass killing and a crime against humanity.
The ICT investigation agency is expected to examine the allegations before deciding on any formal proceedings.