Hearings of 7 war crimes cases underway in 2 tribunals

Hearings of seven war crimes cases filed in connection with the July–August incidents are underway at International Crimes Tribunals 1 and 2. Former Prime Minister’s advisers Salman F Rahman and Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former law minister Anisul Huq, former social welfare minister Dipu Moni, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak are among the 45 accused produced before the tribunals.

On Wednesday , October 15 morning, the accused, including ten former ministers, several ex-secretaries, and former MPs — were brought to the tribunal from prison in prison vans.

At Tribunal 1, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam continued presenting arguments for the third consecutive day in the case against three absconding accused, including Sheikh Hasina. The other two accused in the case, now in its final stage before the three-member bench headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, are former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.

During Tuesday’s, October 14, full-day hearing, the prosecution presented documentary evidence, locations of occurrences, the extent of genocide, the roles of the parties involved, and the sequence of July’s events. Five specific charges have been brought against the accused.

Meanwhile, at Tribunal 2, witness testimonies are being recorded in the case concerning the killing and burning of six people in Ashulia, Savar, another war crimes case.

In the other five cases, although the dates for submitting investigation reports had been scheduled, the prosecution sought additional time.