ICT permits interrogation of 4 in Shahbagh genocide case

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has granted permission to interrogate four individuals arrested in connection with allegations of killings and torture at the Hefazat-e-Islam rally held at Shahbagh Square, Motijheel, on May 5, 2013.

Among those approved for questioning is former Police Inspector General A K M Shahidul Haque. The others include former State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, former army officer Ziaul Ahsan, and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Moulaya Nazrul Islam.

Following a hearing on the prosecution's petition, the tribunal, chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, authorized the interrogations to take place on any day. The three-member tribunal also comprises Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired District and Sessions Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

The tribunal had previously set November 12 as the deadline for submitting the investigation report against nine accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It also issued arrest warrants against five absconding suspects, among them former Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Ganajagaran Mancha spokesperson Imran H. Sarkar, former IGPs Hasan Mahmud Khandakar and Benazir Ahmed.

Prosecutors Gazi M H Tamim, Mizanul Islam, and Faruq Ahmad stated that the tribunal has allowed one accused to be interrogated per day over a four-day period.

The case originated from complaints filed last year by Azizul Haque Islamabad on behalf of Hefazat-e-Islam leaders Junaid Al Habibi and Maulana Mamunul Haque, as well as an earlier complaint by Mufti Harun Izhar. These complaints were later formalized into a miscellaneous case by the prosecution.