The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has directed the investigation agency to complete the probe against former Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina within one month in a case related to genocide during July-August.

The tribunal, led by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, also instructed the submission of a progress report by December 17. The order came during a hearing on Monday (Nov 18).

Meanwhile, 13 individuals, including nine former ministers, accused of crimes against humanity during the July-August genocide, were produced before the tribunal on the same day. They are the first among 46 individuals against whom arrest warrants were issued for alleged involvement in crimes against humanity.

The accused, brought to the tribunal under tight security in a prison van around 10am, were formally shown arrested. Those presented included former Law Minister Anisul Huq, Faruk Khan, Dr. Dipu Moni, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haq Inu, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman, Towfiq-E-Elahi, Shajahan Khan, former State Minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Golam Dastagir Gazi, retired Appellate Division Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, and former Home Secretary Jahangir Alam. Another accused, Abdur Razzaq, was not brought to the tribunal due to his remand in a separate case.

On October 27, the ICT had directed the production of 20 individuals, including two detained former advisers, 10 ex-ministers, a retired army officer, a former secretary, and a retired justice. Among them, the 13 produced on November 18 were ordered to appear, while six police and army officials, including former IGP Abdullah Al Mamun and dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, were ordered to be presented on November 20.

The genocide charges stem from allegations of mass killings during anti-discrimination student protests in July and August. The interim government decided to try the accused at the ICT, forming a new prosecution team and investigation agency. Amendments to relevant laws and renovations of tribunal facilities are underway for the trials.

More than 100 complaints, including allegations of abduction, murder, and genocide, have been filed against Sheikh Hasina, Awami League leaders, 14-party alliance members, and former top law enforcement officials. Arrest warrants have been issued against several former cabinet members of Sheikh Hasina’s government as part of the ongoing legal process.

BDST: 1410 HRS, NOV 18, 2024
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