Staff Reporter :
Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Tazul Islam, has revealed that bombs were planted with the intent to kill investigators working on enforced disappearance cases.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday on the premises of the ICT, he stated that the prosecution has received investigation reports on three cases related to the July massacres. These reports are currently under review, and the prosecution hopes to formally submit charges in at least two of
the cases within this month.
Tazul Islam said the cases include charges of murder and genocide filed against Sheikh Hasina, a case related to the burning of bodies in Ashulia, and another involving the mass killing at Chankharpul. “We plan to submit formal charges in at least two of these cases to the tribunal this month,” he noted.
He added that the tribunal on Sunday granted a three-month extension to submit the investigation report for a genocide case in Jatrabari. The tribunal has also set April 13 for the interrogation of Sohel Mia, the accused in the murder case of Ashabul Yamin in Savar, and April 10 for questioning police officer Nasirul Islam in the Chankharpul killing case.
Tazul Islam claimed there are “various conspiracies” underway to disrupt the tribunal’s judicial process. “No scandal or conspiracy will be able to halt the trials,” he asserted, adding that no one can prove corruption within the prosecution or investigation team.
He further stated, “Bombs were planted to assassinate me and the rest of the investigation team working on the enforced disappearance cases. But these plots will not be able to obstruct justice.”
The chief prosecutor also called for the establishment of more tribunals, stating, “One tribunal is not enough. The government is considering this matter positively. We hope a second tribunal will be launched very soon.”
He concluded by saying, “Attempts from the accused to derail the trial process will not succeed.”
