Dhaka: Today marks the 12th anniversary of the attack on Hefazat-e-Islam at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. Two complaints have been submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) demanding the trial of the state-sponsored attack on Hefazat on May 5, 2013.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ICT Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed that the ICT investigation agency has found preliminary truth in the complaints. The prosecutor also stated that petitions have been filed to issue arrest warrants against accused individuals and production warrants for those already detained in other cases.
The prosecutor expressed optimism that the trial of these state-sponsored attacks will occur to ensure justice. Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has released a preliminary list of 93 individuals who were killed during the law enforcement operation at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka's Motijheel on May 5, 2013. Maulana Mohiuddin Rabbani, central nayeb-e-ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam, indicated that this list may change as they work on a final version.
Previously, the human rights organization Odhikar reported that 61 individuals were killed in the attack by law enforcement agencies. On November 26, a complaint was filed with the ICT by Hefazat-e-Islam's Organizing Secretary Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi, naming 50 accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, and Shamsul Haque Tuku. Prior to this, Mufti Harun Ijhar filed another complaint naming 14 individuals.