85 complaints filed, investigation ongoing for 46 cases

The International Crimes Tribunal officially began its journey on March 25, 2010, to deal with the cases filed for  crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War.

Currently, the tribunal is dealing with cases of murder, mass killings, disappearances, and other criminal activities that took place during the July-August mass movement and in the years of the previous Awami League government.

As of November 27, 85 complaints related to crimes against humanity, including murders, mass killings, disappearances, etc., have been filed with the International Crimes Tribunal. Most of these cases involve prominent figures, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, members of her cabinet, former MPs of the Awami League, former military officers, civil servants, and judges.

Among these, investigations have been initiated for 46 complaints by the tribunal’s investigation unit.

The complaints filed during the July-August period relate to crimes against humanity such as murders, mass killings, and enforced disappearances, including those during the 2013 Shapla Chattar massacre in Motijheel.

The tribunal has begun hearings regarding these accusations.The investigation unit of the tribunal has already started investigating 46 of these allegations. Under the leadership of Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumder, a three-member bench of the tribunal instructed on November 19 to submit an investigation report on crimes related to mass killings and crimes against humanity involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by December 17.

Separate investigation reports are also expected for 45 other prominent individuals, including Obaidul Quader and various ministers, MPs, and influential persons from the previous Awami League government.

The investigation team is working towards completing the investigation of these 46 cases by the given deadline of December 17.

Retired Additional DIG Mohammad Mazharul Haque, the Coordinator of the investigation unit, said in an interview with Views Bangladesh, “We are trying to complete the investigation within the specified time. The entire team is working together to provide an accurate, unbiased, and factual investigation report.”

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md. Tajul Islam, told Views Bangladesh, "There are now 85 complaints related to enforced disappearances and killings, including mass killings during the July movement and other crimes committed in the last 15 years. These complaints have been filed against top individuals and officials of the previous government, political leaders, and party cadres. The tribunal has instructed the investigation team to complete the investigation of 46 by December 17."

Additionally, the tribunal has already requested Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of Sheikh Hasina. Arrest warrants have been issued for at least 63 former ministers and MPs of the Awami League government. Among them, 14 individuals, including former ministers, advisors, retired judges, and a former secretary, are already in prison for various crimes.

The tribunal has also issued arrest warrants for 17 police officers, all of whom are currently imprisoned.

Earlier, on October 14, the government issued a notification for the reconstitution of the International Crimes Tribunal. The notification appointed Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumder as the Chairman of the tribunal, along with Justices Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as its members.

Subsequently, on September 19, the tribunal appointed retired Additional DIG Mohammad Mazharul Haque and retired Police Superintendent Muhammad Shahidullah Chowdhury as coordinators of the investigation unit.

Other members of the investigation unit include Additional Police Superintendent Md. Alamgir from the Anti-Terrorism Unit, Additional Police Superintendent Moha. Monirul Islam from the PBI Headquarters, Additional Police Superintendent Md. Jannat Alim Khan from the Special Branch, Assistant Police Superintendent Syed Abdur Rauf from the Dhaka Traffic and Driving School, Police Inspector (Unarmed) Md. Yunus from the CID, Police Inspector (Unarmed) Md. Masud Parvez from Rajshahi's Charghat Model Police Station, Police Inspector (Unarmed) Muhammad Alamgir Sorkar from the Range Reserve Force (RRF), and Police Inspector (Unarmed) Md. Mashuor Rahman from CID Dhaka Metro (North).