Investigation report against 45, including Salman and Anisul on Jan 8

The International Crimes Tribunal 1 has directed the prosecution to submit the investigation report by January 8 next year in five separate war crimes cases filed over killings and genocides during the July–August mass movement, naming 45 accused, including former law minister Anisul Huq and former Prime Minister’s adviser Salman F Rahman.

Other accused include former advisers Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former education minister Dipu Moni, former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former ministers and MPs Golam Dastagir Gazi, Amir Hossain Amu, Kamrul Islam, Abdur Razzaq, Kamal Ahmed Mojumdar, Solaiman Selim, and Shajahan Khan; Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon; JASAD President Hasanul Haq Inu; former Justice A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik; and former home secretary Jahangir Alam.

During Wednesday’s, October 15 hearing, the prosecution sought three more months to complete the investigation. After the hearing, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar set the new date for submitting the report.

The former ministers, state ministers, and MPs were brought before the tribunal on April 20 and again on July 20. On both occasions, the prosecution requested three months’ time to complete the investigation. On July 20, the tribunal granted the request and set October 15 as the submission date.

In the morning, police produced the former ministers, state ministers, and MPs before the tribunal from Keraniganj, Kashimpur, and Narayanganj prisons under tight security. They were later brought into the courtroom one by one.

Security has been intensified around the tribunal premises, with law enforcement personnel remaining on high alert. Everyone entering the tribunal is being thoroughly searched.

On February 18, twelve former ministers and state ministers, two former Prime Minister’s advisers, and five others were shown arrested in these cases after being produced before the tribunal. Following the hearing, they were sent to prison.