July-August massacre: Complaint filed with tribunal citing Hasina as the instigator
A complaint has been filed with the International Crimes Tribunal against three people in the July-August massacre case last year, citing Sheikh Hasina as the instigator.
The prosecution of the tribunal filed the complaint at around 12:15 pm on Sunday (June 1). The other two accused along with Sheikh Hasina are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.
At a seminar at the National Press Club on Saturday (May 31), the tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor Advocate Tajul Islam said, “The trial of the July-August massacre will be visible by December. The trial will be conducted in such a way that no one can raise questions about its quality.”
He also said, “The trial is progressing at full speed. However, it will take a reasonable time to complete the investigation. During this time, investigations into 10 to 15 notable disappearances have been completed. The reports will be available by June.’
The Chief Prosecutor said that the obstacles in the trial have been largely removed, saying, ‘The International Crimes Tribunal has been able to identify detailed information about the crime structure and the criminals. However, there are some obstacles in arresting those involved in the disappearances. We are working to confirm the arrests.’
Earlier, on May 12, officials of the investigation agency submitted an investigation report against Sheikh Hasina in the July-August massacre. Sheikh Hasina’s name has emerged in the investigation report as the person who ordered the July massacre.
On February 18, the Tribunal ordered the investigation against Sheikh Hasina in the July-August massacre to be completed by April 20. The three-member Tribunal, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumdar, Chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal, gave this order. The court gave this order in view of the application made during the prosecution. Additional Chief Prosecutor Mizanul Islam heard for the prosecution in the Tribunal.
On December 17 last year, the tribunal ordered the completion of the investigation against Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader, including 46 others, in two cases within two months.
The International Crimes Tribunal is currently on trial against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others accused of ordering and planning the shooting and killing of unarmed students and people during the anti-discrimination student movement. The Awami League government carried out indiscriminate killings to stop the student movement. About 1,500 people lost their lives in this movement.
