ICT allows questioning of ex-MP Golap in Madaripur crimes against humanity case

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today (30 July) allowed investigators to question former Madaripur-3 lawmaker Abdus Sobhan Golap in a crimes against humanity case linked to the killing of three people during the 2024 July Uprising.

The order was passed by the three-member ICT-2 bench, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, after hearing a petition from the prosecution. Golap was produced before the tribunal.

During the hearing, Prosecutor Faruk Ahmad said Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League activists, along with law enforcement personnel, allegedly attacked participants in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on 18 July 2024, killing three people.

He said investigators sought permission to question Golap for one day as part of the investigation.

The tribunal granted the petition, allowing investigators to question him at the ICT's safe home.

Defence counsel Shamim Al Saiful opposed the move, arguing that Golap is elderly, suffers from multiple illnesses and is being held in a special prison. He requested that investigators instead question him at the jail gate.

The prosecution argued that the law allows a government specialist physician and the defence counsel to remain present during questioning at the safe home to address concerns over Golap's health.

Earlier in the day, the tribunal extended the deadline for submitting the investigation report from 29 June to 30 August after the prosecution sought an additional two months to complete the probe.

Golap was shown arrested in the case on 27 April following a prosecution petition.

On 25 August 2024, police arrested the former Madaripur-3 lawmaker from a house in the capital's Nakhalpara area. He has remained in custody since then in connection with multiple cases.