Trial of July-August 'massacre' to begin on Thursday: ICT Chief Prosecutor

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) will kick off trial procedures on Thursday (17 October) of the cases and complaints filed against numerous people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, over genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the student-led movement and mass uprising in July and August this year.

The tribunal's Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam made the announcement while talking to reporters on Tuesday (15 October), after a meeting with the new chairman and members of the reconstituted tribunal.

ICT was reconstituted on Monday with Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar as its new chairman. The other members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Haq Anam Chowdhury. All of them joined the office on Tuesday.

Tajul said the tribunal chairman and members would be given a reception at the tribunal tomorrow (16 October) and then the tribunal would start holding hearings from Thursday.

"The trial of the people involved in crimes against humanity during the July-August uprising will be prioritised. The prosecution will file several petitions on Thursday," he said.