Cases against Hasina: ICT extends probe deadline by 2 months

The International Crimes Tribunal yesterday extended the deadline for the submission of probe reports in two high-profile cases, including one  against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

This is the second time the deadline, now set for April 20, has been extended.

The other case, involving the same charges, was filed against 45 individuals, including Hasina, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, other former ministers, advisers, bureaucrats, and a former justice.

Investigators sought the extension to incorporate new evidence from a recent UN report, which they believe is crucial for strengthening their case, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam told the court.

Although the probe is nearly complete, he stressed the importance of including the details referenced in the UN report, along with new evidence still emerging, to ensure accuracy and credibility.

A three-member bench, led by ICT Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, approved the extension, stating that additional time is permissible to ensure the investigation is thorough and credible.

The probe reports in both cases were due yesterday after the first extension.

The tribunal also ordered the prison authorities to produce Solaiman Selim, former AL lawmaker and son of Haji Selim, before the court on April 20 over his alleged involvement in atrocities in Old Dhaka during the uprising.

Earlier yesterday, 16 accused were brought to the tribunal around 10:00am and held in the lock-up. They were produced before the court minutes before the proceedings began at 11:30am.

The 16 individuals include former ministers Anisul Huq, Amir Hossain Amu, Qamrul Islam,  Lt Col (Retd) Faruk Khan, Shajahan Khan, Abdur Razzaque, Dipu Moni, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haq Inu, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Golam Dastagir Gazi, and former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

Others presented before the court included former prime minister’s advisers Salman F Rahman and Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, and former home secretary Jahangir Alam.

Among them, Amu, Faruk Khan, Palak, and Kamal Ahmed Majumder appeared visibly pale.

As they were being escorted out of the court and into a prison van around 1:30pm, journalists heard Palak shouting, “Bangabandhu said we must fight to survive!”

During the proceedings, Tajul Islam said public hearings at various universities had yielded new information about crimes committed during the uprising. “Students captured many footages on their mobile phones.”

He added that reports had surfaced regarding the rape of women protesters during the uprising, but declined to provide further details.

Tajul remarked that the accused had recorded phone conversations of individuals.

“But the traps they set to kill people may now turn into traps for them … They gave orders to ‘eliminate’ students and the people. They instructed the shutdown of television channels. The conversations they exchanged were secretly recorded … We’ve obtained such evidence. In these cases, digital evidence will play a crucial role.”

Asked if the prosecution had communicated with the UN for evidence, he said discussions were ongoing.

On February 12, Rory Mungoven, chief of the Asia-Pacific region at the UN rights office, stated at a press conference that the UN would not share evidence from its investigation with Bangladesh unless the trials met international standards.

He added, “The issue of the death penalty is a problem for us — as per UN policy, we are constrained from cooperating with trials that may lead to the death penalty.”

Just after the release of the UN report, Tajul had said necessary reforms in ICT laws had already been made.

Regarding the UN’s concerns, he said, “Since our judges have the power to decide the type of punishment, this matter will be addressed later.”

On October 17, the ICT issued an arrest warrant for Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following the July uprising. It also directed that probe reports for both cases be submitted within a month.

On November 18, the prosecution sought a two-month extension from the tribunal, with the new submission deadline set for yesterday.

PANNA SEEKS PROTECTION

Senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna, the defence counsel for several of the accused, was present at yesterday’s court proceedings in a wheelchair.

Before the proceedings began, he turned to the accused in the dock, raised his hands, and said, “Guru salaam, guru salaam [greetings guru, greetings guru].” Amu and Inu reciprocated by raising their hands as well.

Addressing the court, Panna said, “My Lord, I’m unwell. I’ve come directly from the hospital with a two-hour leave. My life is now at risk. This morning, there were even rumours on social media that I had passed away. By the grace of Allah, I’m still alive.”

Claiming that he had been receiving death threats, he sought protection from the tribunal. “I wish to inform the court that I fear for my life… My death should come naturally, not through any external causes.”

When the tribunal chairman asked why he was receiving threats, Panna did not provide a direct answer.

Standing next to him, Tajul remarked with a smile, “He was supposed to sit on the right side [where the prosecutor sits], but he mistakenly took the seat on the other side.”