Former Gulshan OC Mazharul breaks down in tribunal, claims support for student movement

Former officer-in-charge (OC) of Gulshan Police Station Mazharul Islam broke into tears during a hearing at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) today (20 November).

Facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to the July-August massacres, Mazharul pleaded for his innocence, claiming that he supported the students' movement. 

"I did not kill any students. Please save me," he said. 

The emotional outburst occurred during proceedings led by a three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar. 

"I was never the OC of Savar during the movement," Mazharul said in the courtroom. "At that time, I was serving as the OC of Gulshan Police Station." 

Earlier in the hearing, Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam mistakenly alleged that Mazharul was involved in massacres in Savar during the protests. 

Bursting into tears, Mazharul exclaimed, "I have never served in Savar. During July-August, I was in Gulshan. I am not guilty of any massacres." 

In response, the tribunal assured him of justice. 

"If you are innocent, you will receive justice," the bench stated.  

Later, Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam corrected his statement, clarifying that Mazharul was the OC of Gulshan during the movement. 

He alleged, "Under his leadership, massacres were carried out in the Gulshan-Pragati Sarani area."  

The tribunal directed authorities to complete the investigation within a month against Mazharul and seven other officials, including a former police chief and an ex-director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC). 

All accused have been ordered to remain in custody for the duration of the trial.  

The tribunal has set 19 December as the next date for the hearing.