Nahid demands roadmap to continue trials post-election

Nahid Islam, Convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has called on the government to commit to a clear roadmap ensuring the continuation of trials related to killings, torture, and enforced disappearances—including the high-profile July massacre case—even after the upcoming national elections.

Speaking to reporters outside the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Tuesday, Nahid emphasized that justice must not be stalled due to political transitions.

“If a verdict is delivered in this case, it will be a political milestone for justice,” said Nahid. “But over the past 15 years, there have been countless cases of mass killings, torture, and enforced disappearances across the country. The trials must continue uninterrupted. We have demanded a roadmap and official pledge from the government to ensure the judicial process is not obstructed after the election. Political parties must make this commitment.”

Nahid appeared before the ICT as a witness in a case involving crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the anti-discrimination student movement. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and one other are among the accused. However, due to prolonged cross-examination of another witness, Nahid’s testimony was deferred.

Despite not testifying, Nahid expressed confidence in the tribunal's proceedings.

“We are satisfied with the court’s process. I believe justice will be delivered in due time,” he said.

Addressing the issue of bringing the accused back to the country, Nahid remarked,

“Diplomatic and international efforts must be mobilized to repatriate those accused. Once a verdict is delivered, it becomes the legal responsibility of any future government to bring them back and ensure their punishment is carried out.”

On Tuesday, government-appointed lawyer Md. Amir Hossain cross-examined Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, a witness in the case, on behalf of the accused.

Earlier, on July 10, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun admitted to crimes committed during the July–August student uprising. In his statement before the tribunal, Mamun confessed to the allegations of mass killings and expressed willingness to testify in detail as a state witness.

“The charges of killings and atrocities during the movement are true. I hold myself guilty. I want to assist the court in uncovering the full extent of the crimes committed,” Mamun told the tribunal during the charge framing proceedings.

The ICT-1, led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumder and a two-member bench, formally framed charges on the same day against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others. The tribunal also rejected their petition seeking discharge from the case.

The prosecution has brought five counts of crimes against humanity against the three accused. The formal charge sheet spans 8,747 pages, including 2,018 pages of references, 4,005 pages of seized evidence and documents, and a 2,724-page list detailing the names of martyrs. A total of 81 witnesses are scheduled to testify in the case.