BNP files complaints with ICT against Hasina, others

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday filed two complaints with the office of the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), accusing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and a section of AL leaders and law enforcers of playing their roles in unlawful killings and enforced disappearances.

The complaints said 2,276 of its leaders and activists were killed in "crossfires" (extrajudicial killings) between 2008 and August 5 last year. The complaints further said that Elias Ali and Chowdhury Alam had been among the victims of enforced disappearances during the period.

"As per information of BNP, 153 people have so far been killed or kept under detention following their enforced disappearance...It is being requested to take steps to file cases following enquiry and investigation in this regard," the complaints also read.

Mohammad Salauddin Khan, coordinator of BNP's case data collection cell on enforced disappearances and killings, submitted the complaints to the ICT in the morning. Advocate Nurul Islam Jahid was present on the occasion. The complaints were signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Barrister Abdullah Al Noman, one of the prosecutors of the ICT, confirmed the update to the reporters.

In a briefing, Mr Salauddin Khan said, "Hundreds of leaders and activists of our party were killed in crossfires. Many of our leaders and activists, including Salah Uddin Ahmed, Ilias Ali, and Chowdhury Alam, had fallen victim to enforced disappearances. Many are yet to return to their families."

The complaints said the head of the Awami League government, its "goons" and some "over-enthusiastic" members of law enforcing agencies, were bent upon destroying and getting rid of a political party like BNP.

BNP also said that the killing of party activists made their other supporters to leave the country in fear, or abstain from party activities altogether.

[email protected]