Genocide: ICT found 'irrefutable evidence' against Hasina, formal charge filing soon, reports PA

The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has found "irrefutable evidence" against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a case related to genocide and crimes against humanity, reports Prothom Alo, quoting the tribunal's Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam.

"Sufficient evidence has been found against her [Sheikh Hasina]. We will prove this in court, InshaAllah. Further proceedings are ongoing, and we will present irrefutable proof of her crimes," Tajul was quoted as telling PA in the report published today (2 April).

"Process is underway to file formal charges [against her]. It could be submitted to the tribunal at any time," he also said.

The chief prosecutor further said the tribunal's investigation agency has conducted extensive work to prepare the final investigation report. "The final report has not been received yet. The process is underway to finalise it."

According to the ICT Act, after completing an investigation, the agency submits its report to the chief prosecutor's office for review. Following scrutiny and verification, the report is finalised and submitted as a formal complaint to the tribunal.

Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina on 5 August last year due to a mass uprising, ICT was restructured. The first case filed in the newly restructured tribunal was against Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of crimes against humanity.

Former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has also been named as an accused in the case.

The tribunal has set 20 April as the deadline for submitting the investigation report in this case.

Additionally, Sheikh Hasina faces two more cases in the tribunal. One involves allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, while the other accuses her of crimes against humanity, including the suppression of Hefazat-e-Islam activists at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel in 2013.