Amnesty shouldn’t interfere in journos’ arrest
Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam has remarked that Amnesty International or Human Rights organizations should not interfere in the arrest of two journalists in connection with a crimes against humanity case related to the massacre at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, Dhaka, during a Hefazat-e-Islam rally thirteen years ago. He made these comments while speaking with journalists at his office at the International Crimes Tribunal on Sunday. The Chief Prosecutor said the two journalists (Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu) have been shown as arrested under a show arrest order in the International Crimes Tribunal case, and the investigation agency may need to question them.
He said the tribunal’s investigation agency is conducting the inquiry into this case and should be allowed to do their work. “We have not seen what reaction Amnesty International or any other human rights organization has given. They should not interfere in our ongoing judicial process, and there is no legal scope for them to do so either,” he added.
When asked whether any other journalists would be arrested in connection with this case, Aminul Islam said the investigation is ongoing. “Those found to be involved will be brought to justice. However, no innocent person will be unnecessarily harassed and put on trial,” he said.
In response to another question, the Chief Prosecutor said that even after 14 years, the murder case of journalist couple Sagar-Runi has not seen the light of day.
He called it deeply unfortunate that the investigation into that killing has not concluded even after so many years, and remarked, “An investigation into a murder case cannot go on forever.”
Meanwhile, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam expressed hope that verdicts in two crimes against humanity cases would be delivered in July, after Eid ul-Adha. He said 22 cases are currently under trial at the International Crimes Tribunal, with two cases awaiting verdict. “I hope the verdicts in these cases will come right after Eid,” he added.
The Chief Prosecutor said investigations into 31 cases are nearing completion. In addition, on a priority basis, 150 cases of enforced disappearance, murder, and crossfire killings have been taken up for investigation, and work on these has already begun. He further stated that since joining the tribunal, 7 cases have been sent back for re-investigation, and chargesheets for those will be submitted after Eid.
