International Crimes Tribunal-2 begins journey, AG vows fair trials in July-August cases
Speaking at the event, the Chief Prosecutor said cases for July and August killings will be divided between ICT-1 and ICT-2 for efficient and timely trials
The upcoming trials for crimes committed during the mass uprising in July and August last year will be conducted in line with international standards, leaving "no room for doubt", Attorney General Mohammad A F Hasan Asaduzzaman said today.
He made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the newly formed International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2), which began formal operations today with a reception for its newly appointed three judges.
The Attorney General and Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal, Tajul Islam were present during the reception. Officials said the reception marked the formal launch of ICT-2's judicial proceedings.
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Speaking at the event, the Chief Prosecutor said cases for July and August killings will be divided between ICT-1 and ICT-2 for efficient and timely trials. "People no longer want to see a culture of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings," he added.
Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, chairman of ICT-2, said, "We are here to deliver justice for the killings that occurred in July and August. Justice will not be derailed through bullets, bombs, or intimidation."
Earlier on 8 May, the Law Ministry issued a gazette notification forming the International Crimes Tribunal-2 with Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury as its chairman. Justice Md Manjurul Bashid and Justice Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir were appointed as tribunal members.
According to the gazette, the chairman and members of ICT-2 will receive the same salary, allowances, and benefits as High Court Division judges of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.
Currently, 25 cases related to the July–August killings are pending before ICT-1. Among them, one case – against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun – has had its formal charges accepted, paving the way for trial proceedings.
In another case, concerning the murder of six people in Chankharpul, the tribunal has also accepted formal charges. That case involves eight accused individuals, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman.
The remaining 23 cases are still under investigation.
The prosecution team said that to ensure speedy resolution, the cases will be distributed between the two tribunals for simultaneous trials.
