Crimes against humanity: Inu produced before ICT, alleges underwent voice test without tribunal order

Former information minister Hasanul Haq Inu was produced before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today (20 July) in a case filed over the crimes committed during last year's July uprising.

During the hearing, Inu argued that he underwent a voice test by the detectives without any relevant order from the tribunal.

He made the complaint during the hearing on the progress of the investigation in the crimes against humanity case against 45 Awami League leaders, including Inu, at the tribunal headed by Judge Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

At one point, Inu requested the tribunal's permission to speak, which was accepted by the tribunal. 

"Without a court order, detectives went to the prison to check my voice for malicious purposes. There is a conspiracy against me," Inu alleged, while standing in the dock.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, however, rejected the allegations made by Inu.

"If required for the investigation, officials from the investigative agency may conduct a voice test on any accused individual and question them," said Tajul.

Showing the relevant order, the chief prosecutor stated that Inu's voice was examined as per the tribunal's order.

In response, Inu claimed that he was not shown the tribunal's order during the voice test.

At one point, the chief prosecutor argued that the accused [Inu] is impeding the trial by persistently speaking

In response, the tribunal stated that it will hear the accused and, if required, also the relatives of the accused, in the interest of justice.

Later, the tribunal ordered the authorities concerned to complete the investigation in the case within three months, and submit the report on 15 October.

Former ministers Anisul Huq, Dipu Moni, and ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's adviser Salman F Rahman and former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak are among the 45 accused in the case.