Trial of July-August mass murder perpetrators to conclude by December: ICT chief prosecutor
“The trial process is being conducted keeping in mind that no government or international body can question this judgment in the future,” he said
The trial of key figures accused in the July–August mass murder is expected to conclude by December this year, according to Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal.
"Mobile courts and mass murder trials are not the same issue. Therefore, this trial is being conducted with time and meticulousness," he said today (29 July).
"The trial process is being conducted keeping in mind that no government or international body can question this judgment in the future," he added.
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Tajul Islam also informed that the tribunal will begin hearing testimony against Sheikh Hasina on 3 August.
He made the remarks at a discussion event titled July Genocide Trial: Discussion and Documentary Screening, held at the Judicial Training Institute in the capital.
Speaking at the event, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said that how those involved in the killings and those who gave the orders managed to flee the country should be investigated, and those responsible for that should be tried too.
"The trial will proceed in the absence of the accused. The tribunal will deliver verdicts. But it is unacceptable that they (those involved and those who gave orders) will not truly face justice," she said.
"If there are verdicts, some accused individuals will be punished, but most will remain outside the scope of punishment. Therefore, this aspect of justice needs to be considered."
Rizwana Hasan also noted that practices such as "arrest-for-profit" and "case-for-profit" are still prevalent.
She said institutional change is not possible without a shift in political culture and called on political leaders to prioritise national interest above personal or party interests.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs as part of the July Reawakening programmes.
Sheikh Abu Taher, secretary of the Law and Justice Division, gave the welcome speech at the event. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul was also present.
Prayers were offered for those martyred in the July uprising and for those killed in the fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College. A documentary titled Trial of July Carnage was also screened.
