FE REPORT
Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka, Muhammad Tajul Islam, said that a group of people inside and outside the administration who were beneficiary during the Awami League regime is trying to put obstacles in the way of investigation and the trial process of the tribunal.
Besides, those who are now on the run are investing a huge amount of money from home and abroad to this end, he said, adding that they are determined to continue the trial process braving all odds.
He came up with the statements while exchanging views with the reporters who cover the ICT beat at his office in the city on Thursday.
According to a documentary presented at the meeting by a prosecutor, individuals loyal to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are trying to spread disinformation and misinformation against the investigation process and the prosecutors on social media and mislead the country's people especially the martyrs' families.
They have already hired British law firm "Daughty Street Chambers" to bring accusations of crimes against humanity against the interim government with the International Criminal Court (ICC), said the documentary.
The prosecution team said that a total of 339 complaints have been filed at the International Crimes Tribunal over crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising in 2024. The tribunal investigation agency is conducting probe into 39 complaints, while the tribunal has taken into cognizance a total of 22 complaints.
A total of 141 people have been made accused in the 22 cases. Among the accused, a total of 54 have already been arrested and the ICT issued an arrest warrant against remaining 87. Among the accused, 70 people are civilian, 62 are members of Bangladesh Police, and nine are defence officials.
The prosecution team said that they have already collected recorded and written witness of 1,000 for the trial of the cases. The team has visited 15 districts, six secret detention centers (Aynaghar) in Dhaka, Chapainawabganj and Bogura. It has held four public hearings in which more than 800 students, teachers and common people participated.
The team further said that the investigation of at least four cases is at the final stage and they would be able to submit the reports within a short time. The chief prosecutor said some amendment will be made in the Rules of the International Crimes Tribunal and it may happen within one or two weeks.
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