ICT orders completion of investigation against Anisul, Palak, Salman, 13 others by 20 April
The tribunal initially called for the investigation to be completed with a report within two months, which ended today
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the completion of the investigation within two months against 16 individuals, including former law minister Anisul Huq, former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Sheikh Hasina's former private industry affairs adviser Salman F Rahman.
The tribunal, led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, issued the directive today (18 February) following a request from the prosecution for more time.
The tribunal initially called for the investigation to be completed with a report within two months, which ended today. However, the prosecution later said additional time was necessary to complete the investigation.
Additional Chief Prosecutor Mizanul Islam represented the prosecution during the hearing.
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Earlier that day, several individuals among the 16 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 in court included ministers from the former Awami League government: Faruk Khan, Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaq, Shajahan Khan, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Golam Dastagir Gazi, 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 DB, and the others from Kashimpur Jail to the tribunal.
On 17 December last year, the tribunal had set a deadline of 18 February to submit investigation reports against these 16 individuals, following the cases of crimes against humanity during the genocides in July-August.
Before that, on 18 November, the tribunal directed that the investigations into two cases of crimes against humanity be completed within one month.
These cases are against Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 44 others.
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.
After the fall of the Awami League (AL) government, 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.
Since she fled to India, the demand has been growing to have her repatriated to the country and face trial for the crimes committed by her administration during the July-August uprising.
