58 killed in 2013 Shapla crackdown: ICT Chief

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Md Aminul Islam, has said that the tribunal’s investigation team has identified 58 individuals killed across the country during a crackdown on a Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka on 5 May 2013.

Speaking at a briefing at his office on Tuesday, he said 32 of the victims were killed in Dhaka on 5 May 2013. A further 20 died in Narayanganj, five in Chattogram, and one in Cumilla the following day. He added that all of the deceased have now been identified.

Md Aminul Islam said the names of the accused cannot be disclosed at this stage to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation. He added that around 90 per cent of the investigative work has already been completed. “I hope we will be able to complete the investigation by the next hearing date on 7 June,” he said.

The Chief Prosecutor further stated that statements from the families of the deceased have also been recorded and that sufficient evidence has been gathered in the case.

According to the ICT investigation body, the accused include former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Shamsul Haque (Tuku), Major General (Retd) Ziaul Ahsan, former Inspectors General of Police AKM Shahidul Haque, Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, and Benazir Ahmed, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Molla Nazrul Islam, and Imran H Sarkar.