Dhaka: The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today filed its probe report in a crime against humanity and genocide case lodged against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two others over heinous crimes committed during the July-August mass uprising. The report marks a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding the alleged crimes.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the probe body completed its investigation within six months and 28 days, bringing five charges against the alleged mastermind and superior commandant Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. ICT Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam shared these details during a press briefing marking the submission of the probe report.
The chief prosecutor stated that the investigation agency implicated the ousted prime minister for inciting crimes against humanity through her July 14 press briefing, where she referred to the anti-discrimination agitators as descendants of the Rajakars. He further explained that law enforcement and intelligence agencies were used against the protesters. Armed members of Awami League and its associate bodies, including Jubo League and Chhatra League, allegedly attacked and injured the protesting students, committing crimes against humanity.
Muhammad Tajul Islam also revealed that the probe body accused Sheikh Hasina in the second charge of directly ordering the crimes against humanity. The investigation agency reportedly seized telephonic records where Hasina allegedly ensured that she ordered state agencies to eliminate civilians peacefully agitating for fair demands, using helicopters, drones, and armored personnel carriers (APCs).
The remaining three charges relate to specific incidents where crimes were reportedly committed following directives from Sheikh Hasina, as confirmed by the chief prosecutor.