5 August Chankharpul killings: ICT accepts 1st crimes against humanity charges against 8 cops to begin trial
This is the first case related to crimes against humanity, committed during last year's mass uprising, that has been formally accepted by the tribunal to initiate the trial process.
Highlights:
- Crimes against humanity charges filed against ex-DMP chief, seven other cops
- This is the first such case formally accepted by the tribunal
- Four accused are jailed; Habibur Rahman Habib and three others at large
- Police allegedly used firearms, APCs, helicopters, drones against protesters
- Fugitive ex-DMP chief Habib allegedly ordered subordinates to open fire
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has accepted the first crimes against humanity charges against eight members of the police to begin trial.
Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal Mohammad Tajul Islam confirmed the matter to the media today (25 May).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Earlier on the day, the ICT chief prosecutor submitted the formal charge to the ICT in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed through the killings of six people in Dhaka's Chankharpul on 5 August last year during the student-led mass uprising.
The formal charge accuses eight individuals, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman Habib; former joint commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty; former additional deputy commissioners of Ramna Zone Shah Alam and Md Akhtarul Islam; former assistant commissioner of Ramna Zone Mohammad Imrul; former inspector of Shahbag Police Station Md Arshad Hossain; former constables Md Sujan Hossain, Imaj Hossain, and Md Nasirul Islam.
Among them, the last four are currently in jail, while the rest remain at large.
With the submission of the charge, this became the first case related to crimes against humanity committed in July-August of last year that has been formally presented to the tribunal to initiate the trial process.
The Chankharpul killings had taken place around the same time Hasina resigned and fled to the neighbouring country in a plane in the face of the mass uprising on 5 August last year.
According to prosecution sources, the tribunal will hold a hearing to accept the formal charge. Once the tribunal frames the charges, the trial proceedings of the case will officially begin.
Previously, on 20 April, the tribunal's investigation agency submitted a complete investigation report to the tribunal's Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, charging eight people in this case.
The four accused in jail were presented before the tribunal today.
The case alleges that on 5 August last year, police opened fire using deadly firearms on students' peaceful movement in the Chankharpul area. This resulted in numerous casualties. Members of state forces directly participated in this operation.
The investigation report states that firearms, APC cars, helicopters, drones and a large quantity of bullets were used to suppress the movement.
Six people killed in this police operation were identified as Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Junayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawladar, Md Ismamul Haq and Manik Mia Shahrik.
The report further said the fugitive accused, Habibur Rahman, and others were present at the scene and ordered their subordinates to open fire.
This massacre was carried out with their assistance and instructions, said the report.
