Trial regarding genocide begins in ICT Thursday

Thursday marks the start of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) trial concerning the genocide and crime against humanity that were committed in July and August in an effort to put an end to the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement.
Chief Prosecutor of the ICT, Advocate Muhammad Tajul Islam, made a courtesy call to the newly appointed chairman and his two colleagues at the tribunal building here before speaking with the media.

Islam told the press that the chairman and two tribunal members would be given a reception tomorrow.

The three-person tribunal, which will be led by Additional Judge of the High Court Md. Golam Mostafa Majumder, was established by the government on October 14.

The other members of the tribunal are – Additional Judge of the High Court Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Retired District and Sessions Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. A gazette notification was issued on Monday to this end.   

Md. Tajul Islam, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court, was named chief prosecutor of the ICT earlier on September 5.

Md. Mizanul Islam, Gazi Monwarul Hussain Tamim, B M Sultan Mahmud, Abdullah Al Noman, and Md. Saimum Reza Talukder are the other five prosecutors.

Additionally, to look into the claims made to the ICT, a 10-person investigative team led by former Additional Deputy Inspector General (Additional-DIG) of Police Md Mazaharul Haque was assembled.

To date, the ICT’s investigation and prosecution teams have received more than fifty allegations of mass murder and crimes against humanity in the period from July 5 to August 5.

Former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 in the wake of students led mass upsurge. Later, Nobel laureate economist Prof. Dr. Muhammad  Yunus took over as the chief of the interim government.

During the 36-day anti-discriminatory students’ campaign, Awami League cadres and members of law enforcement purportedly welcomed 1500 students and individuals as martyrs.

Members of the Awami League and police enforcement agencies opened fire on the protesting crowd, leaving over 500 people crippled. At that time, 23,000 additional individuals were hurt, many of whom are still receiving care at various hospitals.