Ex-IGP Mamun faces crimes against humanity charges

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun is set to be indicted in a case over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the 2013 Hifazat-e Islam gathering at Motijheel Shapla Chattar, reports bdnews24.com.

Prosecutors said findings from an investigation implicated the former police chief, who was then serving as a Rapid Action Battalion officer, in alleged extrajudicial killings during the crackdown on a mass rally.

On Wednesday, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said the ICT Investigation Agency had found Al-Mamun's involvement in the May 5, 2013 incident.

He said inquiries were ongoing to identify others responsible, with a clearer picture expected within 10 to 15 days.

Mamun had earlier become a state witness in a separate crimes against humanity case related to the July Uprising against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

In that case, he received a reduced five-year sentence from the tribunal and is currently in jail. He has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court against the verdict.

On the Shapla Chattar case, Chief Prosecutor Aminul said involvement of several senior officials, including Mamun, had surfaced during the investigation.

He stressed that anyone found responsible -- civilian, police, RAB or military -- would be brought to trial.

He added that the Shapla Chattar incident was being treated as a separate case, while authorities had also sought a comprehensive list of enforced disappearances and so-called crossfire killings from police stations nationwide.