Md Aminul Islam, chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka, held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday after an allegation surfaced against an immediate former prosecutor that he had demanded Tk 10 million from the relatives of an accused to assist in securing bail.
Following the meeting, the chief prosecutor told the media that an internal investigation would be conducted into the bribery allegations against former prosecutor Md Saimum Reza Talukder.
"We have seen such a report in the media. It is a serious allegation. Such an allegation should not have arisen against any of our prosecutors. Since it arose, steps should have been taken immediately. We do not know why it was left unaddressed," Aminul said.
"So far, we have not received any formal complaint. We will conduct an internal investigation," he added.
The chief prosecutor also warned that any hint of corruption among prosecutors would not be tolerated during his tenure.
"To work at the International Crimes Tribunal, one has to be selfless. Everyone must stay above greed and temptation. If someone cannot do that, there is no need to remain here. Anyone is free to leave," he said.
Former Awami League lawmaker from the Chattogram-6 constituency ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury was made an accused in a case filed over crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Chattogram during the 2024 July-August mass uprising.
Leaked audio recordings revealed that former prosecutor Md Saimum Reza demanded Tk 10 million from the family members of Fazle Karim to assist in securing his bail in the case.
The then chief prosecutor, Muhammad Tajul Islam, removed Saimum from the charge of the case after learning about the allegation.
However, no further action was taken against him at the time.
Finally, the law ministry on Monday issued a notification relieving him of his duties as a prosecutor after accepting his resignation.
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