17 former ministers, officials produced before tribunal

Seventeen high-profile figures from the previous government—including former ministers, state ministers and senior officials—were brought to the International Crimes Tribunal on Monday in connection with a murder case tied to the July mass movement.

They were transported from Keraniganj and Kashimpur prisons under tight security and taken to the tribunal lockup one by one.

A hearing on the progress of the case is scheduled before Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumder.

The accused include former law minister Anisul Huq, former education minister Dr. Dipu Moni, former ICT state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former textiles and jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, former industries minister Amir Hossain Amu, former food minister Qamrul Islam, former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque, former shipping minister Shajahan Khan, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, JASAD president and former information minister Hasanul Haq Inu, former justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, former home secretary Jahangir Alam, former MPs Solaiman Selim and Faruk Khan, former PM’s adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former private industry adviser to Sheikh Hasina Salman F. Rahman, and former state minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder.

According to tribunal sources, separate formal charges have been submitted against Salman F. Rahman, Anisul Huq, Hasanul Haq Inu and Zunaid Ahmed Palak. Testimony is already underway in Inu’s case.

Tribunal-1 has also taken cognizance of charges against Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Palak in a case alleging responsibility for shutdown of internet services during the July uprising, along with related killings. An arrest warrant has been issued for Joy.

Formal charges against Anisul Huq and Salman F. Rahman include allegations of enforcing curfew that led to the killing of students and civilians.

All charges remain under judicial consideration.