Genocide investigation report on Hasina to be submitted to tribunal by March: ICT Chief Prosecutor
Earlier, the ICT had given two more months to submit the investigation report on Hasina and others involved in the cases
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the authorities concerned to complete the investigation by 20 April into cases filed over the July-August genocide, murders, and crimes against humanity involving former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 other individuals, many of whom served as ministers and state ministers in Hasina's cabinet.
The three-member tribunal, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, passed the order today (18 February) following the prosecution's time extension pleas.
Additional Chief Prosecutor Mizanul Islam represented the prosecution during the hearing.
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Earlier on 17 December, the tribunal had given investigators two months, a deadline that expired today.
During today's hearing, several of the 16 defendants were presented in court, including former law minister Anisul Huq, former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and Sheikh Hasina's private industry affairs adviser, Salman F Rahman.
Other defendants present included ministers from the former Awami League government: Faruk Khan, Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaq, Shajahan Khan, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Golam Dastagir Gazi, and Amir Hossain Amu; former adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury; Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon; Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu; former Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik; and former home secretary Jahangir Alam.
Salman F Rahman was brought to the ICT from the Detective Branch's custody, while the others were transported from Kashimpur Jail.
After the fall of the Awami League (AL) government in August last year, at least 60 cases or complaints of enforced disappearances, killings, genocide, and crimes against humanity were lodged at the International Crimes Tribunal, accusing Sheikh Hasina, leaders of the Awami League and 14 party alliance, and senior officials of different law enforcement agencies.
Numerous cases on various charges, including murder and attempt to murder, have also been filed against the ousted prime minister, who ruled the country with an iron fist for 15 years, and AL leaders.
Hasina fled to India with her sister Sheikh Rehana on 5 August in the face of a mass uprising led by students. She has been in India since then. Meanwhile, many senior leaders of her party have been arrested on various criminal charges, while several others remain at large.
