Dhaka: International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam has raised concerns over attempts by beneficiaries of the Awami League regime to disrupt the investigations and trial processes related to crimes against humanity during the July-August uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tajul Islam highlighted that a coordinated disinformation campaign is being orchestrated via social media against the ICT. The fugitive beneficiaries of the ousted regime are reportedly investing resources to obstruct investigations and derail the judicial process. Tajul shared these insights during an interaction with reporters covering the ICT beat at his office.
The prosecution pointed out that individuals loyal to the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina are disseminating false information about the investigation process and prosecutors on social media. This misinformation aims to mislead the public, particularly the families of the martyrs. Additionally, they have engaged the British law firm “Doughty Street Chambers” to file accusations against the interim government with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Tajul Islam emphasized that despite these efforts, the tribunal has sufficient evidence to prove the incidents in question. Over 1,500 to 2,000 individuals were martyred and approximately 25,000 students and civilians injured during the uprising. Islam expressed confidence in proving these events in the tribunal according to international standards of justice.
The prosecution has filed a total of 339 complaints with the International Crimes Tribunal regarding crimes against humanity committed during the uprising. Of these, 39 complaints are under investigation, and the tribunal has acknowledged 22 complaints. The cases involve 141 accused individuals, with 54 arrested and warrants issued for the remaining 87. The accused include civilians, police, and defense officials.
The prosecution team has collected testimonies from 1,000 witnesses and conducted visits to districts and detention centers. Public hearings have involved over 800 participants, including students and teachers. Investigations for four cases are nearing completion, with reports expected soon.
Tajul Islam mentioned the possibility of amendments to the tribunal’s rules within one or two weeks. The ICT prosecution team comprises 17 prosecutors and 24 investigators, drawn from the Bangladesh Police on deputation or contract basis.