ICT to start trial of July-August genocide Thursday

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) will kick off trial procedures on Thursday (17 October) of the cases and complaints filed against numerous people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, over genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the student-led movement and mass uprising in July and August this year.

The tribunal's Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam made the announcement while talking to reporters today (15 October), after a meeting with the new chairman and members of the reconstituted tribunal.

ICT was reconstituted on Monday with Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar as its new chairman. The other members of the tribunal are Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Haq Anam Chowdhury. All of them joined the office today.

Tajul said the tribunal chairman and members would be given a reception at the tribunal tomorrow (16 October) and then the tribunal would start holding hearings from Thursday.

"The trial of the people involved in crimes against humanity during the July-August uprising will be prioritised. The prosecution will file several petitions on Thursday," he said.

Justice Mortuza and Justice Shafiul were among the 23 additional judges appointed to the High Court on October 8. They took oath the next day.

Last month, the interim government decided to reform both the ICT's prosecution team and the investigation agency as well as the tribunal to expedite the trials of cases of crimes against humanity and genocide committed during the student-led July-August mass uprising, which ousted the Hasina-led Awami League (AL) government.

According to media reports, more than 60 complaints of crimes against humanity and genocide — mostly against Hasina and AL leaders and activists — have been filed with the ICT investigation agency and prosecution team so far.

Announcing the tribunal's reconstitution in consultation with the Supreme Court, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul on Monday told reporters that the skilled prosecution and investigation team have already started the pre-trial stage by probing and collecting information.

"They have so far collected very credible information. The trial will start soon at the ICT," he hoped.

Asked about how they would match the ICT with international laws, Nazrul said they have held meetings with the stakeholders to this end. "We have taken steps to make some significant changes in the ICT law. Under the law, any person from the international human rights organisations can observe the proceedings of the trial. The amendment to the act will be completed by this month."

Additionally, he said, the accused can appoint their lawyers from any country.

Replying to another query, he said there are provisions to hold trials of the fugitive accused in the act. He also said that they would bring back the persons to be found guilty in the trials from the countries having extradition treaties with Bangladesh.