New Delhi: Chief prosecutor of the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Mohammad Tajul Islam, said on Saturday that trials against “top commanders” accused of crimes against humanity, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are expected to conclude within a year. Islam was speaking during a national dialogue titled “Unity, Reform, and Elections”. It was organised by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka.
During a session titled “Disappearances, Killings to July Genocide: Challenges of Justice”, Tajul Islam stated that the tribunal’s primary focus is on prosecuting the masterminds behind crimes such as enforced disappearances, genocide, and other crimes against humanity. Describing Sheikh Hasina as the “nucleus” of the killings during the July-August student-led uprising, he emphasised that her trial and those of her subordinates are being given top priority.
‘ICT capable of concluding these trials within a year’
“The ICT is capable of concluding these trials within a year,” Tajul said, highlighting that the tribunal is not designed to prosecute thousands of individuals but instead aims to focus on those who orchestrated these heinous crimes.
Responding to concerns raised by session moderator Monir Haider about the tribunal’s ability to handle such extensive cases, Tajul explained that the ICT currently operates with 10 prosecutors and 17 investigators, according to a reports in the local dailies. While acknowledging the widespread nature of these crimes, he emphasised that the tribunal would not attempt to try all perpetrators across the country, leaving those cases to regular courts and police stations.
“The tribunal is prioritising those who turned Bangladesh into a haven for murder and disappearances, as per the directive of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus,” Tajul added. Tajul also noted that criminal cases related to these offenses are ongoing in various jurisdictions across the country. These trials will proceed independently of the ICT’s work, which remains concentrated on prosecuting the top-level commanders.
