Dhaka: Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Muhammad Tajul Islam today stated that the events during the July uprising should be classified as mass murder rather than genocide, urging against the spread of misinformation regarding the terminology.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tajul made this clarification through a Facebook post, emphasizing that "genocide" typically refers to ethnic cleansing. His comments came in response to the recent filing of a probe report by the ICT's investigation agency. The report concerns a crime against humanity and mass murder case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two others, focusing on the heinous acts perpetrated during the July-August mass uprising.
The investigation body has leveled five charges against Sheikh Hasina, who is deemed the "mastermind of the crimes and superior commander," along with former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. At a press briefing, Tajul elaborated on the accusations, noting that the ousted prime minister allegedly incited crimes against humanity during a July 14 press briefing by labeling anti-discrimination protesters as descendants of the Rajakars.
Tajul further alleged that Hasina mobilized various law enforcement and intelligence agencies against the protesting students. Additionally, armed members of the Awami League and its affiliates, such as Jubo League and Chhatra League, allegedly attacked the protesters, leading to the slaughter and injury of many students, as well as other crimes against humanity.
The ICT chief prosecutor also highlighted the second charge, which accuses Sheikh Hasina of directly ordering the commission of these crimes. The remaining charges pertain to specific incidents where crimes were reportedly committed under Hasina's directives, according to the chief prosecutor.